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Steven Michael Wojciechowski (born August 11, 1976), also known as Wojo, is an American basketball coach and former player who is currently the head coach for the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA G League. He previously played and coached under head coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University and was the head coach at Marquette University for seven seasons. He was a point guard from 1994 to 1998.

Steve Wojciechowski
Wojciechowski in 2010
Salt Lake City Stars
PositionHead coach
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1976-08-11) August 11, 1976 (age 48)
Severna Park, Maryland, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
High schoolCardinal Gibbons (Baltimore, Maryland)
CollegeDuke (1994–1998)
NBA draft1998: undrafted
Playing career1998–1999
PositionPoint guard
Coaching career1999–present
Career history
As player:
1998–1999Pekaes Pruszków
As coach:
1999–2014Duke (assistant)
2014–2021Marquette
2023–presentSalt Lake City Stars
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  United States
FIBA Americas U18 Championship
Gold medal – first place 1994 Santa Rosa Team competition

Biography

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Playing career

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High school

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Wojciechowski is a 1994 graduate of the Cardinal Gibbons School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he played under Baltimore Catholic League head coach Ray Mullis. Rated one of the top high school players in the country, Wojciechowski was named to the East squad of the 1994 McDonald's All-American Team, playing against future Duke teammates Trajan Langdon and Ricky Price.

Duke

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Highly recruited out of high school, Wojciechowski signed to play with Duke.

Midway through Wojciechowski's freshman season, the Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski, had to take a medical leave. The team stumbled to a 13–18 record, the school's only losing season since 1982–83; it was also Duke's only non-NCAA-tournament season between 1983 and 2021.

During Wojciechowski's last three years, the Duke Blue Devils achieved an 74–26 record. A captain during his senior year, Wojciechowski led that 1997–98 team to a 32–4 record and a #1 ranking in the final AP regular season poll. In the NCAA tournament, the Duke team reached the South Regional final, losing to the eventual champion, Kentucky, 86–84.

During that senior year, Wojciechowski was named NABC Defensive Player of the Year honors and was an honorable mention All-American.

Overall, Wojo appeared in 128 games for Duke, starting 88. He is ranked eighth at Duke for career steals (203) and eighth for career assists (505).[1] He also achieved the second highest number of steals in a single season with 82 in 1997.

A first-generation college student, Wojciechowski earned his bachelor's degree from Duke in 1998.[2]

Following his graduation from Duke, Wojciechowski played professional basketball in Poland for a year.[3]

Coaching career

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Duke

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He returned to Duke in 1999 as an intern in the Duke Management Company and was a basketball analyst on the Duke Radio Network.

Wojciechowski was then offered a coaching job by Krzyzewski and began his career as an assistant coach in 1999. He was promoted to associate coach in 2008. During his 14 years on the Duke bench, Wojciechowski primarily coached Duke's frontcourt players. Two of them, Shane Battier and Shelden Williams, were national defensive players of the year, while those who went on to successful NBA careers include Carlos Boozer, Rodney Hood, Josh McRoberts, Jabari Parker, Mason Plumlee, Miles Plumlee, and Lance Thomas. Compiling an overall record of 441–92 during his time as an assistant and associate head coach, the Blue Devils won the NCAA championship in 2001 and 2010.

Wojo was also an assistant on the USA National senior team from 2006 to 2014, including the teams that won the Olympic gold medal in 2008 and 2012.[4]

Marquette

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On April 1, 2014, Wojciechowski was hired as the new Marquette head basketball coach, replacing Buzz Williams, who left for Virginia Tech.[5] At Marquette, he compiled a 124–93 record, including two NCAA tournament invitations. This included a losing record during his first season followed by 5 consecutive winning seasons. However, with no Big East titles and an 0–2 NCAA Tournament record in 7 seasons, Wojciechowski was fired at the conclusion of the 2020–2021 season.[6]

Head coaching record

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East Conference) (2014–2021)
2014–15 Marquette 13–19 4–14 T–9th
2015–16 Marquette 20–13 8–10 7th
2016–17 Marquette 19–13 10–8 T–3rd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2017–18 Marquette 21–14 9–9 T–6th NIT Quarterfinals
2018–19 Marquette 24–10 12–6 2nd NCAA Division I Round of 64
2019–20 Marquette 18–12 8–10 T–6th
2020–21 Marquette 13–14 8–11 9th
Marquette: 128–95 (.574) 59–68 (.465)
Total: 128–95 (.574)

References

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  1. ^ "GoDuke.com statistics". Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ^ "Steve Wojciechowski – Men's Basketball Coach".
  3. ^ Steele, Ben. "Marquette coach Steve Wojciechowski's professional playing career lasted a handful of games in Poland, and it was kind of a mess". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Steve Wojciechowski – Assistant Coach – Staff Directory".
  5. ^ Goodman, Jeff; Rovell, Darren (April 1, 2014). "Marquette hires Wojciechowski as new coach". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  6. ^ David Cobb (March 19, 2021). "Marquette fires coach Steve Wojciechowski after seven seasons leading Golden Eagles program". CBS Sports.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
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