The future of Duke basketball just got even brighter. In a move that signals both loyalty and ambition, head coach Jon Scheyer has elevated Emanuel Dildy — the Blue Devils’ recruiting powerhouse and sideline tactician — to Associate Head Coach. For a program already sitting atop back-to-back No. 1 recruiting classes, this promotion isn’t just a title change. It’s a statement: Duke is doubling down on the energy, vision, and championship drive that has defined the Brotherhood for generations.
The Duke basketball family is celebrating a major development ahead of the 2025-26 season, as head coach Jon Scheyer has promoted assistant coach Emanuel Dildy to Associate Head Coach.
Dildy, who joined the Blue Devils in 2023, has quickly become one of the most influential figures on Scheyer’s staff. Known nationally as one of the premier recruiters in college basketball, his fingerprints are already all over Duke’s recent success. From Cooper Flagg to the Boozer twins, Dildy has helped reel in back-to-back No. 1 overall recruiting classes (2024 and 2025) — the type of elite talent pipeline that ensures the Blue Devils remain championship contenders year after year.
His rise is rooted in a relentless journey. A former college player at New Mexico State and Eastern Illinois, Dildy began his coaching career in Chicago at Kennedy-King College before climbing the Division I ladder with stops at Eastern Illinois, Loyola Chicago, Missouri, Valparaiso, Northwestern, and Oklahoma. Along the way, he built a reputation as a tireless recruiter, a sharp teacher of the game, and a connector who builds trust with players and families alike.
Now, that expertise is fully embedded in Durham.
Scheyer didn’t hold back his praise for the man he calls a cornerstone of the program:
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Emanuel the past two seasons, and his impact on our program has been tremendous. He’s an elite recruiter, a detailed teacher of the game, and someone whose tireless work ethic sets the tone for our staff and players. Emanuel’s leadership, energy, and passion embody what Duke Basketball is all about, and I’m excited to elevate him into this well-deserved role.”
The timing of this promotion couldn’t be more important. Duke enters the 2025-26 season with sky-high expectations, but also plenty of fresh challenges. After losing their entire starting five from last year’s Final Four squad, the Blue Devils will rely heavily on a roster full of talented but untested newcomers. Their non-conference slate — already projected as one of the toughest in the nation — will serve as a trial by fire for a team that will grow game by game.
That’s where Dildy’s new role becomes vital. His steady leadership, ability to develop young talent, and proven recruiting brilliance make him a perfect fit to help Scheyer guide a group loaded with raw potential into polished contenders.
For Duke fans, the message is clear: the Brotherhood isn’t just reloading — it’s building a foundation for sustained greatness. With Emanuel Dildy now officially stepping into an associate head coach role, the future of Duke basketball looks as electric as ever.
