Rivalry aside, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a UNC grad, honors Duke's Mike Krzyzewski

RALEIGH, N.C. — Setting aside the heated college basketball rivalry, recently retired Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski was honored Thursday by Gov. Roy Cooper — a two-time graduate of the University of North Carolina — with the state's highest honor.

Eschewing his favored Tar Heel blue tie for a darker Duke hue, Cooper held a ceremony to give 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.

«I'm a Carolina fan, Tar Heel born and bred and all that. I would never pretend otherwise,» the Democratic governor said in an outdoor Executive Mansion ceremony attended by dozens of officials, Duke graduates and fans. «You got to be true to yourself, but you also have to be able to see through your bias and not only recognize greatness, but appreciate it.»

Krzyzewski retired as head coach after April's gripping Final Four loss to of all teams UNC-Chapel Hill in their first-ever NCAA tournament meeting between the schools located 8 miles (13 kilometers) apart. Cooper, who attended the game in New Orleans, did not mention the outcome during Thursday's event.

The Hall of Famer is college basketball's winningest coach, with 1,202 wins. His Duke teams won five NCAA titles, and as the Olympic team head coach the U.S. won three consecutive gold medals. He coached nine national players of the year at Duke and 38 All-Americans.

Krzyzewski and his wife also are known for their charity work for health care and education, including the creation of a community center named for his late mother. Cooper also mentioned how Krzyzewski spoke out recently against inaction by politicians after mass gun violence.

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