Chris Spatola, ESPN analyst, decorated soldier in Iraq, and son-in-law of Mike Krzyzewski, dies at age 47

The ESPN network announced the death, at age 46, of its college basketball analyst Chris Spatola. The son-in-law of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, he was part of his staff at Duke before making the leap to television. Previously, he served in the Armed Forces, and was awarded a medal for his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The network itself reported his "unexpected" death in a statement:

"Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN's college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster. He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time."

Decorated in Iraq

According to the sports network, Spatola "was a four-year starter at West Point, leading the team in scoring for three seasons and ranking tenth on the Army's all-time scoring list (1,543)."

After graduation, Spatola served on active duty from 2002 to 2007. During this time, he was deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His service was recognized with the Armed Forces Commendation Medal "for exceptional performance in combat" and the Army Commendation Medal "for outstanding leadership."

A Successful Stint on the Coaching Staff Under His Father-in-Law

He later joined the coaching staff of his father-in-law, Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, at Duke. With him on the staff, the team won the 2010 national championship and four ACC tournament titles. He also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. national teams that won gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Since 2015, he had been part of the ESPN team, where he provided "analysis during game broadcasts and studio segments."