Chris Spatola, Former Duke Assistant Coach and ESPN Analyst, Dies at 47
Spatola, son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, had a distinguished career as a player, coach, and broadcaster.
Chris Spatola, a college basketball analyst for ESPN and a former assistant coach under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, has died at the age of 47. The network announced his passing on Tuesday.
Spatola's career in basketball spanned playing, coaching, and broadcasting. He was a four-year starter and leading scorer for the Army Black Knights, graduating with 1,543 career points, which placed him among the program's all-time top scorers.
Following his time at West Point, Spatola served five years on active duty in the U.S. Army, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He received military honors such as the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
He then transitioned to coaching, joining Mike Krzyzewski's staff at Duke from 2007 to 2012. During his tenure, the Blue Devils won the 2010 NCAA Division I men's basketball national championship. Spatola also served as a court coach for the U.S. men's national basketball team when Krzyzewski led them to a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After his coaching career, Spatola moved into broadcasting, becoming a college basketball analyst for ESPN. ESPN stated in a release that Spatola brought a "unique perspective" to their coverage, shaped by his diverse experiences. Colleagues, coaches, players, and fans respected him for being thoughtful, prepared, and passionate about the sport.
![Chris Spatola sitting at a table with Mike Krzyzewski]( "SiriusXM host Chris Spatola participates in SiriusXM’s "Town Hall with Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski" at the Bill Brill Media Room in Cameron Indoor Stadium on May 31, 2018, in Durham, N.C.")
Spatola's passing was met with condolences from ESPN, who extended their sympathies to his loved ones. He is remembered for his contributions to college basketball both on and off the court.