Chris Spatola, ESPN Analyst and Coach K's Son-in-Law, Dies at 47
Chris Spatola, a longtime ESPN college basketball analyst, former Duke assistant coach and son-in-law of Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, has died at age 47.
Spatola died Monday, September 21, according to CBS Sports. No cause of death has been released.
A Family Statement
"There are no words to adequately express our heartbreak over the loss of our beloved Chris Spatola," the Krzyzewski family said in a statement. "Chris served our country, was a devoted husband and father, and was such an important part of our family." The family said it was "deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, thoughts, and prayers" it had received, and asked for privacy as the family, particularly Spatola's wife, Jamie, and their three children, grieves.
From West Point to Duke's Bench
Before his coaching and broadcasting career, Spatola was a four-year starter at Army, where he finished 10th all-time in career points with 1,543. After his playing career ended, Spatola served in the United States Army on active duty from 2002 to 2007, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for exceptional combat performance and the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding leadership.
Spatola joined Krzyzewski's Duke staff in 2007, working alongside the coach he had known since childhood through his father, who had also been part of Krzyzewski's summer camp staff. Spatola married Krzyzewski's daughter, Jamie, and the couple held their wedding reception inside Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Spatola spent five seasons on the Blue Devils' coaching staff, from 2007 to 2012, a stretch that included four ACC championships and a national title over Butler in 2010. He also served as a court coach on Krzyzewski's staff with Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship, with the team winning gold both times.
His Career at ESPN
Spatola had worked at ESPN since 2015 as a college basketball analyst. The network released a statement following his death, calling him a "beloved Army veteran, coach, broadcaster, and true friend to the Duke Basketball family."
"Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN's college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster," ESPN said. "He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike."
Remembering Spatola
Tributes poured in from across the college basketball world following news of his death, including from Duke's official men's basketball program, which shared its own message of condolence on social media. Spatola is survived by his wife, Jamie, and their three children.
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