April 29, 2008
"We are thrilled to welcome Johnny and his family to Stanford. His credentials as a player, combined with his coaching experience gained mentoring under a Hall of Fame coach at a university such as Duke, made him a perfect fit for Stanford. The philosophies of the two programs both on the court and in the classroom are very similar. I am confident Johnny's leadership skills, coaching ability and commitment to attract top-flight student-athletes will be a driving force in continuing Stanford's tradition of basketball excellence."
- Bob Bowlsby, Stanford Director of Athletics
"Dawkins has had the best possible seat in the nation - next to Krzyzewski - for slightly over a decade and has watched the Blue Devils remain consistently good in the ACC. Stanford wouldn't overlook that...Nobody really knows if Dawkins can be a good head coach or even an outstanding recruiter, and it takes both to remain among the elite. But everybody knows Dawkins' background, which includes being part of a Duke success wagon lots of coaches would love to have been riding for the past 11 years."
- Frank Dascenzo, Durham Herald-Sun
"It's hard to question the hiring of Johnny Dawkins at Stanford. Dawkins is the epitome of class - and he will fit in perfectly with the high standards that Stanford is known for. Dawkins is extremely well-respected by his peers and his players. I spoke to current Duke point guard Greg Paulus shortly after he heard the news and he was crushed because of the relationship that Paulus and the other current and former Blue Devils have had with Dawkins. There's no question that Dawkins will be able to coach. He's learned from one of the elite coaches this game has ever seen in Mike Krzyzewski."
- Jeff Goodman, FOXSports.com
"While many of us wondered whether or not Johnny Dawkins would ever leave the friendly confines of Durham and test his coaching skills elsewhere, this hire makes complete sense."
- Doug Gottlieb, ESPN.com
"I've had the pleasure of working with Johnny Dawkins on three different levels: as a student-athlete, in the booth and now as a coach. I have seen him mature as an athlete and as a man. He is a self-confident, professional individual who has handled so many aspects of the Duke basketball program. So many younger players who have recently transitioned to the NBA come back to work with Johnny in one-on-one sessions during the summer. He has a unique knack of looking at people and assessing what they need to do to reach the next level. We hate to lose him but I know he will be successful at Stanford. You've got a winner."
- Bob Harris, Duke Radio Network play-by-play announcer
"I am excited, because Coach Dawkins has made it clear that he is here to work us hard and wants us to be successful. That's all I needed to know, the rest is up to us. My goal is just to work as hard as possible."
- Lawrence Hill, senior forward
"For me individually, it can't be much better of a fit. He played point guard, he played at Duke and he played in the NBA. I don't know how much better it could be; it fits like a glove. When you look at his resume as a player and a coach, I think it is the perfect time for him to be a head coach. Obviously I am excited because he played the same position as me and had a lot of success and think he is going to help me to improve a great amount."
- Mitch Johnson, senior guard
"I've covered college basketball for 18 years, the past nine at ESPN. I'm not sure I've met someone who is as classy, as much a statesman and really a true gentleman like Johnny Dawkins. He is quite simply a perfect fit for Stanford. The Cardinal exudes class and distinction as one of the premier institutions in the country. Dawkins should represent this great place with dignity and tremendous pride."
- Andy Katz, ESPN.com
"In my 28 years at Duke, no one did more to build our program as a player, coach or a person than Johnny Dawkins. He is as responsible as anyone for the success we've had for more than two decades. Johnny is certainly ready to become a head coach at a high level, and that is exactly the opportunity he's been presented. He will identify completely with what Stanford does, both in the classroom and on the court, and will maintain its strong basketball tradition. This is a great fit for both Stanford and Johnny."
- Mike Krzyzewski, Duke head coach
"An interesting hire with all the proper resume items Stanford should want in a coach. Dawkins has paid his dues in full and on time. Between his 11 years working under Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and on the U.S. National Team and his time as a pro with the San Antonio Spurs during the David Robinson years and as an 82-game starter for the 76ers, he is well vested in the game at all its levels, in the gym and in the homes of parents with live talents."
- Ray Ratto, San Francisco Chronicle
"Stanford could not have found someone more compatible to the school's mission than Johnny Dawkins, someone bred in the academic and athletic blend of Duke University. It's exciting to add someone with Johnny's qualifications to the best collection of coaches the Pac-10 has ever seen."
- Ted Robinson, Fox Sports Net
"We welcome Coach Dawkins and his family to the Pac-10. Having just made a similar transition, we certainly wish them well as they establish a new home."
- Herb Sendek, Arizona State head coach
"Almost everything about Johnny Dawkins points to consistent winning. For years, he's had the best mentor out there."
- Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer