Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski made almost $10 million in 2011. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski made almost $10 million in during 2011, making him one of the highest paid college basketball coaches in the country, reports USA Today.

According to tax records obtained by USA Today, Krzyzewski made nearly $9.7 million during the 2011 calendar year

A breakdown of Krzyzewski’s salary includes $1,978,401 in base pay, $5,642,574 in bonus and incentive compensation, nearly $1.9 million more than in 2010. Also he received $1,982,097 in retirement and other deferred compensation, a little over $500,000 more than in 2010. Plus he was paid $59,616 in other reportable compensation such as family travel and $19,344 in non-taxable benefits.

Krzyzewski has a 957-297 career record in 38 seasons, including an 884-238 mark in 33 seasons at Duke and has won four national championships.

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The amount is the greatest single-year compensation total for a college athletics coach since USA TODAY Sports began tracking the pay of football and men’s basketball coaches in 2006. Louisville men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino received a little more than $8.9 million in total pay in 2010-11.

Kentucky coach John Calipari was paid more than $5.4 million for the 2012-13 season, not including bonuses. Louisville’s Rick Pitino and Kansas’ Bill Self each made nearly $5 million. Among football coaches, Alabama’s Nick Saban made nearly $5.5 million for the 2012 season, Texas’ Mack Brown almost $5.4 million.

Krzyzewski earned more than $7.2 million in the 2010 calendar year, and just less than $4.7 million in 2009.

A stolen Duke Blue Devils mascot head appeared on a pole above a University of North Carolina campus book store.

The stolen head of Duke’s Blue Devil mascot was discovered on a pole above the University of North Carolina campus before Wednesday night’s game in Durham.

Mark Armstrong of WTVD in Raleigh/Durham reported that Duke did lose one of its mascot heads, but a spare will be available for the game. The head was taken down, but not before pictures began appearing on social media sites.

Sources at UNC told WTVD that police took custody of the head and intend to return it to Duke pending an investigation.

The schools’ intense rivalry featured in HBO Sports “Battle for Tobacco Road” documentary, has included several memorable pranks.

Last year, Duke students dressed UNC’s revered “Silent Sam” statue in Blue Devils gear.

In 1998, four Duke students climbed high in the Dean Dome rafters to steal Michael Jordan’s retired jersey, which eventually reappeared inside Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has been critical of recent conference realignment. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski criticized recent conference realignment and said the ACC’s departing Maryland Terrapins will be “outsiders” when they move to the Big Ten in 2014.

On his satellite radio show Tuesday, Krzyzewski praised college sports rivalries that have long provided value to the ACC and other conferences, and bemoaned the end of annual traditions such as Duke-Maryland, Texas-Texas A&M and Syracuse-Georgetown resulting from conference realignment.

“For us, we have a good brand at Duke University, but we also have a good brand because we’ve been in the ACC. We benefit from that brand. And people who have gone to school here, played sports here, they are not only Duke people; they’re ACC people.

“And when you give that up, what price is that? “What does that do? The fact that they’ll never be a Duke-Maryland game again. There may never be a Texas-Texas A&M game again, a Syracuse-Georgetown game again. Those schools aren’t gonna schedule one another. I mean, that’s not gonna happen. And in Maryland’s case, that’s the only conference they’ve known. And they’re right in the middle of the ACC. And now their fans, they don’t have a place. They’re outsiders. They really are outsiders. What price? What price is paid for that?”

Krzyzewski’s comments will likely irk many Maryland fans who believe the Terps have long been treated like outsiders by Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State and other ACC schools located along Tobacco Road.

The ACC also has not been above luring schools from other conferences. Syracuse and Pittsburgh are set to join the ACC in 2013, with Louisville and Notre Dame finalizing future moves to the conference..

Duke coach David Cutcliffe signed an extension keeping him at the school until 2019. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Duke head coach David Cutcliffe has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the school through June 30, 2019, reports the Charlotte Observer.

Cutcliffe, in his fifth season at Duke, has led the team to a 6-5 record this season and the Blue Devils are bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.

“I can tell you right now that I’m going to be coaching at Duke next year,” Cutcliffe said earlier this week. “I’m very happy here, and this is where I’m going to be. I can put that to rest because that’s a fact.”

Cutcliffe’s name had been mentioned at openings at Kentucky and Tennessee.

Confirmed: #Duke head coach David Cutcliffe has signed a contract extension through June 30, 2019. Blog to come—
Laura Keeley (@laurakeeley) November 21, 2012

Marshall Plumlee will miss 6-8 weeks with a stress fracture in his left foot. ( Gary Dineen, Getty Images)

The career of Duke Blue Devils redshirt freshman Marshall Plumlee will have to wait even longer to get started.

The Duke Chronicle reports that the center will miss 6-8 weeks after sustaining a stress fracture to a metatarsal bone in his left foot a few days ago. Plumlee was slated to get significant playing time this season after sitting out last season to redshirt, and with his team lacking size and rebounding chops in the center and power forward positions.

Marshall is set to become the third Plumlee brother to play for the Blue Devils in recent years. The eldest, Miles, has moved on to his professional career with the Indian Pacers, while the middle child Mason will be Marshall’s teammate this season at Duke,

Former Duke basketball player Lance Thomas says he doesn’t think he committed any NCAA violations after purchasing $97,000 worth of jewelry while still in school. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Former Duke basketball player Lance Thomas says he didn’t break any NCAA rules when he purchased more than $97,000 in jewelry from a New York City store during his senior season with the team, reports The Herald Sun.

Thomas replied, “No. I don’t think so,” when asked if he was involved in an NCAA violation. “There’s more to it but I’m not going to comment on it right now. “Everything will unfold once everything is taken care of the right way.”

Thomas was sued in a Texas court last January for nonpayment of a $67,800 balance for the jewelry.

Thomas played 39 games for the 2009-10 Blue Devils team, who went on to win the national championship.

“I do feel bad that that was something that is lingering around the university,” Thomas said. “But everything is going to be taken care of the right way. I hope the coaching staff and the whole university know that those were the best four years of my life and I love Duke until I die. But I have to take care of things the right way and I’ll reach back out to them when I can.”

Nike co-founder Phil Knight will be honored by two basketball tournaments in 2017. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images Sport)

In honor of Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s 80th birthday, 16 teams sponsored by Nike will take part in two, eight-team tournaments during Nov. 2017, reports ESPN’s Andy Katz.

The two tournaments will include many of the nation’s top programs: Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State, Florida, Ohio State, Georgetown, Connecticut, Oregon, Stanford, Xavier, Butler, Oklahoma, Texas, Portland and Gonzaga, Katz reports.

Knight’s 80th birthday will be Feb. 24, 2018.

The two-tournament format comes because teams from the same conference can’t play in the same tournament, Katz reports.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis was reportedly the driving force behind the event.

“All of these great basketball programs have been supported by Phil Knight and Nike,” Hollis said. “His support of the programs have created scholarships and resources for these departments to excel.”

The tournament could still have to adjust if any of the programs change sponsors or conferences in the next five years.

Duke football players are sending their thoughts and prayers to teammate Blair Holliday, who is in critical condition. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

A Duke University sophomore wide receiver is listed in critical condition after an Independence Day jet ski accident, according to the Raleigh News and Observer.

Blair Holliday is being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill after unintentionally colliding with a fellow Blue Devil teammate at a lake one hour east of Charlotte, N.C.

In a statement, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe thanked the UNC Hospitals staff and asked for prayers for the Holliday family.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with Blair, his parents, Leslie and Rick, and the entire Holliday family.  The Holliday family is one of tremendous character and strength, and is truly an inspiration for all of us.”

Holliday caught three passes for 30 yards last year as a freshman but was projected to be a starter this upcoming season.

The News and Observer‘s Jack Daly said surgery is not imminent.

From a source: Doctors plan on keeping Holliday sedated for 3-5 days to keep the swelling down. They're not planning brain surgery ...

—
Jack Daly (@_JackDaly) July 05, 2012

Duke forward Mason Plumlee is returning to Durham for his senior year, according to Jeff Goodman of CBS.

Plumlee averaged 11.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season and was conteplating a potential jump to the NBA for a couple of weeks, but sources told Goodman that Plumlee met yesterday with coach Mike Krzyzewski to announce his return.

The 6-foot-10 power forward was projected as a late first-round pick, but Goodman reports that he was at risk of slipping into the second round.

Plumlee helped lead the Blue Devils to a 27-6 record last season, but they were upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by No. 15 seed Lehigh.

Duke and Ohio State are rumored to have contacted Mississippi State freshman Rodney Hood, according to Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com. Hood announced earlier Monday that he was leaving the school.

Duke and Ohio State among the schools that have contacted Mississippi State about Rodney Hood, source told CBSSports.—
Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanCBS) April 09, 2012

The Bulldogs are now without all five of their starters from a year ago. Rick Ray has taken over at head coach, as Rick Stansbury left the job after 14 years with the school.

“Obviously, we are disappointed in Rodney’s decision,” Ray said in a statement released by the university. “I was looking forward to getting a chance to develop and coach him. This decision, unfortunately, was made before my hire. The Hoods were forthright and honest about where they were when I met with them, and I appreciate their honesty.”

Hood was one of the top freshmen in the SEC a season ago, averaging 10.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, starting 29 of 32 games.

It was speculated last week, and now it’s official: Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers has confirmed that he will enter the NBA draft this spring.

Austin Rivers has officially announced his plan to enter June's NBA Draft. AR: "Duke has prepared me for the challenges that are ahead."

—
Duke Basketball (@dukeblueplanet) March 26, 2012

Rivers shined for the Blue Devils this season, averaging 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, but the team was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by No. 15 seed Lehigh. Duke finished the season 27-6.

This is the second consecutive spring that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has lost a high-profile freshman guard — Kyrie Irving declared for the draft at this time a year ago, eventually going No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rivers is expected to be a lottery pick as well.

If we’re to believe a tweet from Jay Williams, former point guard at Duke, then current Blue Devils star Mason Plumlee is forgoing his senior season to enter the NBA draft.

Breaking News: Mason Plumlee of Duke testing the NBA waters.

—
Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) March 22, 2012

Plumlee averaged 11.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game for a Duke team that went 27-6 but met a shocking first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament against Lehigh. He was also a key reserve as a freshman for the Duke team that won the national championship in 2010.

If he indeed does come out early, Plumlee is projected by many to be a late first-round pick.

Duke standout guard Austin Rivers is also expected to leave early and enter the draft this spring. He should also be a first-round pick.

Duke University forward Ryan Kelly will miss the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament with a sprained foot, the school announced Tuesday.

Ryan Kelly will miss ACC Tourney due to a foot sprain. Will be monitored and re-evaluated next Monday. Here's to a speedy recovery for Ry.—
Duke Basketball (@dukeblueplanet) March 06, 2012

If Kelly is cleared Monday, he will have only a few days preparation before Duke’s opening round game in the NCAA tournament, which will be either Thursday or Friday.

Kelly, a junior, is averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 23 points last week against Wake Forest.

The Maryland Terrapins will honor former head coach Gary Williams in a pregame court-naming ceremony prior to tonight’s game against the No. 6 ranked Duke Blue Devils, according to ESPN.

The Terps will honor Williams be renaming the Comcast Center court after the 22-year former Maryland head coach.  William’s replacement, Coach Mark Turgeon, expressed his respect for the legendary coach saying “We all know how Gary got up for the Duke game, so it’s an appropriate night for us to unveil his name on the floor.”

“We have to play for Coach [Gary] Williams,” guard Sean Mosley told reporters. “We don’t want to let him down on this big night.”

Williams coached Maryland from 1989-2011. In Williams’ 22 seasons, the Terps went 461-252 winning the NCAA title in 2002.  Williams retired after a 19-14 finish last season.

The pregame ceremony is scheduled to begin approximately 20 minutes before the 9 p.m. tip on ESPN.

The Duke Blue Devils defeated the Presbyterian Blue Horse 96-55 Saturday, giving coach Mike Krzyzewski his 902 career wins, tying him with Bob Knight for most all time.

Duke led by 23 at half, and cruised to an easy victory. The Blue Devils beat Belmont Friday 77-76.

Krzyzewski now runs his record to 902-284 in 37 years of coaching at both Duke and Army. Duke will face Michigan State Tuesday night in New York City.