Best-selling sportswriter and former Chronicle sports editor John Feinstein dies

John Feinstein, an author, journalist and Duke alumnus, died Thursday at the age of 69, according to The Washington Post. 

He had been staying with his brother, Robert Feinstein, who found him dead. The cause is currently unknown. Feinstein, Trinity ‘77, wrote for The Chronicle from 1973 to 1977, where he began a career in sports writing that would span the rest of his life.

Feinstein was a close friend of legendary Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski and spoke with The Chronicle last October about their relationship. He wrote his last book, “Five Banners,” about the five national championships that Krzyzewski won for Duke, providing an inside look at each tournament victory.

“John Feinstein was one of the most influential sports writers of our time. He wrote with confidence, drawing readers into his stories with prose that few could match,” Krzyzewski said. “As so many of us knew, he was never shy about sharing an opinion or a remarkable story. A proud Duke graduate, John will be missed tremendously. He was truly one-of-a-kind in the sports industry, and we were fortunate to enjoy his immense talent for as long as we did. Beyond our longstanding professional relationship, he and I became great friends over the course of several decades. Our family is deeply saddened by his sudden passing.”

Feinstein published a slew of best-selling books, including “A Good Walk Spoiled,” “A Season on the Brink” and “A March to Madness.” “A Season on the Brink” followed head coach Bob Knight and the Indiana men’s basketball team throughout every practice, game and private meeting during the 1985-86 season, and was the first book of its kind. 

Each of these books, and Feinstein’s other work, were made possible by his talent for fostering relationships inside the sports world. He often used his access as a reporter to share unique stories about coaches, players and teams.

Feinstein wrote for The Washington Post and contributed to other publications including Golf Digest and the Sporting News.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.