Chris Collins (right) and Steve Wojciechowski (left) have spent nearly three decades combined as assistants under coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Rich Barnes/Icon SMI

PHILADELPHIA -- Perhaps the best way to quantify Duke's generation of dominance in college basketball is through NCAA seeding: In the past 17 years, the Blue Devils have made the tournament 17 times, receiving a No. 1 or No. 2 seed 14 times.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski's presence represents the obvious constant, but an underrated factor in Duke's supremacy has been the continuity of the staff.

Duke assistants Chris Collins and Steve Wojciechowski have a combined 27 years of experience under Krzyzewski -- Wojo 14 years and Collins 13 -- an unusually long stretch for assistants at an annually successful high-major program. Consider assistant coach turnover at programs like Louisville, Florida and Pittsburgh and the longevity of Duke's assistants is appreciated.

"Continuity is kind of king in this profession," said Duke Athletic Director Kevin White.

With the Chicago Tribune reporting that Collins will interview for the open Northwestern job, the question again looms as to why Duke's assistant coaches stick around so long. Johnny Dawkins spent 11 years at Duke before taking the Stanford job five seasons ago. Collins and Wojciechowski, who both hold the title of associate head coach, have flirted with opportunities but have never left.

"All of us have aspirations to be head coaches," Collins said. "It has to be something that we all believe in because we do have such a good job."

Jeff Capel, the staff newbie at just two years, recalls hearing people criticize Collins and Wojciechowski because they haven't taken head coaching jobs. Collins turns 39 in April. Wojo is 36.

"Those guys have gotten knocked because they haven't left," Capel said. "I know when I was a head coach, I heard that. It's easy to say on the outside when you don't know. This is a great job. You don't leave this job just for any job."

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Pete Thamel: Longevity defines Blue Devils assistants run with Krzyzewski-led Duke