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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Setting aside the heated college basketball rivalry, recently retired Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski was honored Thursday by

The Duke-North Carolina college basketball rivalry was set aside briefly so Gov. Roy Cooper could award the state's highest honor to recently retired Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski. Cooper is a graduate of the University of North Carolina and said Thursday during an Executive Mansion ceremony that one has to “not only recognize greatness, but appreciate it.” He said Coach K has “dedicated his life to helping others be their best” both on and off the court. Krzyzewski retired as Duke's head coach after a Final Four loss to UNC of all teams. Krzyzewski called the Order of th...

Eschewing his favored Tar Heel blue tie for a darker Duke hue, Gov. Roy Cooper held a ceremony to give Mike Krzyzewski the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, saying he’s "dedicated his life to helping others be their best" both on and off the court. Coach K came to Durham in 1980 to take the job.

The former Duke coach got another award, this time from a UNC fan.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said retired Coach K has “dedicated his life to helping others be their best” both on and off the court.