As a junior high student at Maple School, Glenbrook North alumnus Jon Scheyer (‘06) would spend his days writing in a notebook, simulating the day-to-day duties of a college basketball coach.

After completing a playing career that included a state championship at Glenbrook North in 2005 and a national championship at Duke University in 2010, Scheyer is getting the chance to live out his dream.

On April 29, Scheyer joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Duke University, as the special assistant to Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“I actually called Coach K and told him I was interested in coaching,” said Scheyer. “He said, without hesitation, that he wanted me to come be on his staff, and I was just blown away.”

According to Scott Lidskin, GBN assistant basketball coach, the transition from playing to coaching always seemed likely for Scheyer.

“Even when Jon was a little kid, his basketball IQ was off the charts,” said Lidskin. “He is one of the smartest basketball players I’ve ever coached, ever witnessed on the floor. Those are usually the types of players that become great coaches.”

GBN alumnus Chris Collins (‘92) believes Scheyer’s toughness, competitive attitude and winning pedigree will “make him a great coach down the road.”

While Scheyer’s immediate goal is to fulfill his duties to Krzyzewski to the best of his abilities, Scheyer strives in the long term to accomplish a feat completed only by Hall of Fame coaches John Wooden, Bob Knight, Dean Smith and Joe B. Hall: to win a national championship as both a player and a coach.

“I want to be a head coach, have my own program down the line,” said Scheyer. “From there, it’d be pretty cool to [not only] play and win a national championship, [but also to] go on to coach and win a national championship. That’s something that would be really special if it were able to happen.”