Duke didn't suck. They played in 3 Final Fours in the '60s and the 1964 title game against UCLA. They also played in the 1978 championship game against Kentucky, but the coach left after the next year and Coach K was hired. He won 17 games and went to the NIT his first year with his predecessor's roster and had 2 losing seasons after that, so yes, he did have a losing record after 3 seasons. However, he also had an unbelievable roster with Johnny Dawkins, Jay Bilas, Mark Alarie and ... Bill Jackman. No wonder he had a long leash.
The "Duke stuck with Coach K even though he had a losing record" narrative needs some context.