Amaker latest Coach K protege to bite the dust

INDIANAPOLIS -- Here's the secret they don't want you to know in the halls of American Express or the tents outside of Cameron Indoor.

Krzyzewski Inc.'s branch offices could use some remodeling.

Tommy Amaker's Wolverines may be headed to the NIT after a disappointing loss. (Getty Images)

Tommy Amaker's Michigan bunch embarrassed itself and -- by association -- the Duke franchise Friday, losing to Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. This was only the latest disgrace to the Coach K -- um, er -- coaching tree.

We trot out that bromide with caution because to credit Coach K with a "tree" at this point would be complimenting shrubs everywhere. We'll give it to you straight from the site of the latest fiasco: If Krzyzewski calls recommending one of his guys right now, make that scratchy noise with your voice and pretend like you've been disconnected.

To summarize: Quin Snyder ran Missouri into the ground before resigning under pressure earlier this year. It's going on three years since Mike Brey had a tournament appearance at Notre Dame. David Henderson is feeling the heat at Delaware after a 9-21 season. It's been four years since Bob Bender was fired at Washington where he was 26 games under .500.

Just the other day Fairfield's Tim O'Toole (Duke assistant, 1995-97) was fired with a 112-120 mark in eight seasons.

Coach K's long line of disciples who have become head coaches, and it hasn't been pretty -- just ask Michigan.

Are we reaching here? Not quite. You expect more out of the best. Coach K is the Lombardi of his sport. His aforementioned assistants are working on Phil Bengston status. Together they've been to 13 NCAA Tournaments in 53 seasons. Krzyzewksi has been to 21 by himself.

Is it unfair to expect more than a .540 combined winning percentage from six current/former coaches who have sat at the elbow of The Great One-ski?

Not if that Duke franchise is going to remain untarnished, or at least untaunted by the Heels down the street. Hey, not everybody can have Dean Smith's coaching prodigy.

Amaker is about the last hope for the Duke coaching shrub this season. Classy, smart and full of potential, he has been to one NCAA Tournament in his nine years as a head coach. It helps to be classy, smart and full of potential for only so long, though. Especially when Amaker -- like all the others -- was hired with the full endorsement and blessing of his former boss.

By hiring Amaker, Michigan was purchasing a Duke franchise, buying into the myth. In five seasons it has achieved an NIT title and a 35-45 conference record.

Maybe there's always been something a little too laidback about Amaker. Hey, everybody has their style but would it be too much to ask to lay into an official now and then? When was Amaker's last technical? If a team reflects its coach, then turn the mirror the other way.