WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jon Scheyer, maybe greater than every other coach within the nation, can relate to the place that former North Carolina coach Hubert Davis held.
Davis performed at North Carolina, returned to the varsity as an assistant coach beneath a multi-time nationwide title-winning legend after which was tapped to run this system himself in 2021. Scheyer performed at Duke, returned to the varsity as an assistant coach beneath a multi-time nationwide title-winning coach after which was tapped to run this system himself in 2022.
Davis, who went 125-54 in 5 seasons at North Carolina, was fired Tuesday after the Tar Heels’ second consecutive first-round exit within the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve got a lot of empathy for other coaches, for Hubert, not just the fact of him coaching at the school down the road, but the fact that he played there as well,” Scheyer mentioned Saturday. “So there’s the meaning behind it. I understand that obviously well in this position myself.”
Scheyer, who changed Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, has led the Blue Devils to 3 ACC titles in 4 seasons and is making his third consecutive look within the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.
No. 1 Duke (35-2) takes on UConn (32-5) on Sunday for a berth within the Final Four. Duke is seeking to return to the Final Four for the second straight 12 months.
“Coaching is a big blessing, but it’s also what you sign up for in this business unfortunately,” Scheyer mentioned. “So I think this thing is really delicate. I think it’s really fragile. I think this week has been an example of that. I try to just, always this time of year, appreciate being in these moments for that reason because it’s fragile and delicate. I have a lot of empathy for other coaches being in different positions.”
Davis’ largest wins at North Carolina got here towards Duke. Davis handed Krzyzewski a loss in Coach Ok’s last dwelling recreation after which, within the 2022 Final Four, his last recreation general. North Carolina gave Duke one of its two losses this season on a game-winning 3-pointer within the last second by Seth Trimble in Chapel Hill.
Davis was 5-7 towards the Blue Devils. Scheyer was 6-3 towards Davis.
