Rafael Duk
{{Short description|Mexico gridiron football coach and former player}}
{{family name hatnote|Duk|Delgado|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Rafael Duk
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = Burros Blancos IPN
| current_conference =
| current_record =
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|57|2020|10|27}}{{cite news|url=https://ligafam.mx/rafal-duk-el-comandante-de-los-bulldogs-de-naucalpan/|title=Rafal [sic] Duk; El comandante de los Bulldogs de Naucalpan|publisher=Fútbol Americano de México|date=27 October 2020|access-date=27 January 2023|language=es}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = IPN
| player_years1 = 1984–1989
| player_team1 = Pieles Rojas IPN
| player_positions = Guard
| coach_years1 = 1994–2001
| coach_team1 = ITESM CEM
| coach_years2 = 2002
| coach_team2 = Pieles Rojas A.C.
| coach_years3 = 2003
| coach_team3 = UAdeC
| coach_years4 = 2004
| coach_team4 = Petroleros de Pemex
| coach_years5 = 2005
| coach_team5 = Pieles Rojas A.C.
| coach_years6 = 2005–2012
| coach_team6 = UVM
| coach_team7 = Raptors de Naucalpan
| coach_years8 = 2018
| coach_team8 = Mexicas CDMX
| coach_years9 = 2019–2022
| coach_team9 = Bulldogs de Naucalpan
| coach_years10 = 2019–2022
| coach_team10 = Búhos IPN
| coach_years11 = 2023–present
| coach_team11 = Burros Blancos IPN
| overall_record =
| bowl_record =
| tournament_record =
| championships = As player:
1 ONEFA (1989)
As head coach:
1 Tazón México (III)
1 ONEFA (2000)
2 ONEFA National Conference (1996, 2005)
1 ONEFA National Central Conference (2022)
1 FADEMAC (2019)
1 {{ill|Liga OMFA Pro|es}} (2002)
| awards = 6 ONEFA Coach of the Year (1996–2000, 2005)
}}
{{MedalTableTop}}
{{MedalSport|Men's American football}}
{{MedalSport|Head coach for {{MEX}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|IFAF U19 World Championship}}
{{MedalBronze|2014 Kuwait|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|2016 Harbin|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition|NFL Global Junior Championship}}
{{MedalBronze|2003 San Diego|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|2007 Miami|Team}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant head coach for {{MEX}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championship}}
{{MedalSilver|2003 Germany|Team}}
{{MedalSport|Offensive coordinator for {{MEX}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championship}}
{{MedalSilver|1999 Palermo|Team}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Rafael Duk Delgado (born 1962/63) is a Mexican gridiron football coach and former player who is the current head coach of the Burros Blancos IPN. He played college football with the {{ill|Pieles Rojas IPN|es}}, winning an ONEFA national championship in 1989. As a head coach, Duk won the 2000 ONEFA national championship with the Borregos Salvajes CEM before leading the Mexicas CDMX to a win in Tazón México III in 2018.
Playing career
Duk played college football with the Pieles Rojas IPN at the guard position, representing the Instituto Politécnico Nacional from 1984 to 1989.{{cite news|url=https://www.maximoavance.com/2020/11/rafael-duk-un-campeon-nacional-como-jugador-y-coach/|title=Rafael Duk, un campeón nacional tanto como jugador como coach|work=Máximo Avance|date=2 November 2020|access-date=16 January 2023|language=es}} He was a part of the 1989 ONEFA national championship team under head coach Manuel Rodero.
Coaching career
Duk was hired as the first head coach of the Borregos Salvajes CEM for their debut season in ONEFA in 1994, where they began in the second-tier National Conference.{{cite web|url=https://conadeipfba.org.mx/equipos/borregos-cem-7|title=Equipos Primera Fuerza 2015 {{!}} Borregos Salvajes del ITESM Campus Estado de México|publisher=CONADEIP|access-date=17 January 2023|language=es}} He led the team to its historic first win in their opening game, beating the {{ill|Toros Salvajes Chapingo|es}} 39–27. Duk guided the team to a 6–1 record and an appearance in the National Conference championship game, where they lost 13–0 to the Panteras Negras UAM. After losing in the championship game again the following year, the team was successful in its third attempt, defeating the {{ill|Lobos UAdeC|es|Lobos UAdeC (fútbol americano)}} 28–6 in the 1996 National Conference championship game after an undefeated season and earning promotion to the 10 Grandes Conference – the highest ONEFA tier.{{cite news|url=https://lfa.mx/coach-rafael-duk/|title=Coach Rafael Duk {{!}} Head Coach de RAPTORS|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional|date=17 September 2015|access-date=30 March 2025|language=es}}
In 2000, Duk led the Borregos Salvajes CEM to another undefeated season and its first-ever ONEFA national championship, defeating the Borregos Salvajes Monterrey 38–28 in the 10 Grandes Conference final.{{cite news|url=http://espndeportes.espn.com/mexico/noticias/onefa1111.html|title=Supremacía del CEM|work=ESPN Deportes|date=11 November 2000|access-date=24 January 2023|language=es}} He earned five consecutive ONEFA Coach of the Year awards from 1996 to 2000. Duk quit following the 2001 season, in which his team was eliminated in the semifinals by the Auténticos Tigres UANL.{{cite news|url=https://vlex.com.mx/vid/renuncia-rafael-duk-borregos-tec-81853070|title=Renuncia Rafael Duk a los Borregos del Tec|work=Reforma|first=Marisol|last=Juárez|date=4 May 2002|access-date=17 January 2023|language=es|via=vLex México}} {{registration required}}{{cite news|url=https://app.vlex.com/#search/analiza+duk+ofertas/WW/vid/81854435|title=Analiza Duk ofertas de trabajo|work=Reforma|first=Marisol|last=Juárez|date=8 May 2002|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es|via=vLex México}} {{registration required}}
Duk won a {{ill|Liga OMFA Pro|es}} championship in 2002 as head coach of the semi-pro Pieles Rojas A.C. In 2003, he coached the Lobos UAdeC of the Autonomous University of Coahuila, though the team finished the season with a losing record.{{cite news|url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/nota?id=378949|title=ONEFA Postemporada 2005|work=ESPN Deportes|date=3 November 2005|access-date=16 January 2023|language=es}} He returned to the semi-pro ranks after that, coaching the Petroleros de Pemex in 2004 and the Pieles Rojas A.C. in 2005.
=Linces UVM=
Duk took the reins of the Linces UVM of the Universidad del Valle de México in 2005 as the new team's first-ever head coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.maximoavance.com/2013/06/termina-la-era-de-rafael-duk-con-los-linces-uvm/|title=Termina la era de Rafael Duk con los Linces UVM|work=Máximo Avance|date=26 June 2013|access-date=17 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/deportes/Conferencia-de-los-14-Grandes-Grupo-B-20210827-0057.html|title=Conferencia de los 14-Grandes, Grupo "B"|work=El Economista|date=27 August 2021|access-date=17 January 2023|language=es}} In his first season, he led the team to a promotion to the top-tier 12 Grandes Conference after winning the second-tier National Conference title.{{cite news|url=https://app.vlex.com/#/WW/vid/194163995|title=¡Rugen como grandes!|work=Reforma|first=Rozendo|last=Zavala|date=6 November 2005|access-date=27 January 2023|language=es|via=vLex México}} {{registration required}} Duk earned his sixth ONEFA Coach of the Year award and became the first head coach to achieve promotion to the top tier with two different teams. He was replaced by Roberto Cervantes, his defensive coordinator, following the 2012 season.{{cite news|url=https://app.vlex.com/#search/jurisdiction:;US/WW/vid/463554330|title=Deja Coach Rafael Duk a los Linces Uvm|work=Notimex|date=28 June 2013|access-date=24 January 2023|language=es|via=vLex México}} {{registration required}}
Duk was subsequently offered the head coaching job of the Toros Salvajes Chapingo, but was unable to accept for personal reasons.
=Raptors de Naucalpan=
In November 2015, Duk was announced as the first head coach of the Raptors de Naucalpan, members of a new professional spring league called the Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA).{{cite news|url=https://www.sinembargo.mx/19-11-2015/1556488|title=Ya hay Liga; en febrero inicia el futbol americano profesional en México|work=Sin Embargo|first=Ramiro|last=Rivera|date=19 November 2015|access-date=31 January 2023}} In the league's inaugural season in 2016, the team finished the season with a 4–2 record and reached Tazón México I, the first edition of the LFA championship game, where they lost 29–13 to the Mayas CDMX.{{cite news|url=http://lfa.mx/web/presentan-trofeo-del-1er-tazon-mexico-lfa|title=Presentan trofeo del 1er Tazón México – LFA|publisher=Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional|date=8 April 2016|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.milenio.com/deportes/mayas-arrasa-con-raptors-en-el-tazon-mexico-i|title=Mayas arrasa con Raptors en el Tazón México I|work=Milenio|first=Michel|last=Cruz|date=10 April 2016|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}
In 2017, Duk led the Raptors to a 5–2 record and a first-place finish in the North Division, with league MVP Bruno Márquez at quarterback. However, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after suffering a 13–10 defeat to the Dinos de Saltillo.{{cite news|url=https://www.maximoavance.com/2017/04/dinos-sorprende-a-raptors-conquistar-la-division-under-armour/|title=Dinos sorprende a Raptors para conquistar la División Under Armour|website=Máximo Avance|date=24 April 2017|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}
=Mexicas CDMX=
In October 2017, Duk joined another LFA team, the Mexicas CDMX, as their new head coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.la-prensa.com.mx/deportes/eagles-se-transforma-en-mexicas-3543151.html|title=¡Eagles se transforma en Mexicas!|work=La Prensa|first=Humberto|last=Meza|date=5 October 2017|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}} In his only season with the team, he led the Mexicas to its first league championship with a 17–0 victory over the Raptors de Naucalpan in Tazón México III after finishing the regular season with a 4–3 record.{{cite news|url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/mexicas-capture-tazon-mexico-iii-title-in-shutout-win/|title=Mexicas capture Tazón México III title in shutout win|work=American Football International|date=24 April 2018|access-date=31 January 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://mexicaslfa.com/cinco-anos-cinco-coaches/|title=Cinco años cinco Coaches|publisher=Mexicas CDMX|date=10 October 2019|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}
=Bulldogs de Naucalpan=
In September 2018, Duk was announced as the head coach of the Bulldogs de Naucalpan of the Liga de Football Pro (later Fútbol Americano de México), a new football league that began its inaugural season that February to compete with the LFA.{{cite news|url=https://www.maximoavance.com/2018/09/bulldogs-de-naucalpan-primera-franquiciaa-con-rostro-de-la-lfp/|title=Bulldogs de Naucalpan, primera franquicia con "rostro" de la LFP|work=Máximo Avance|date=18 September 2018|access-date=9 January 2023|language=es}}
=Búhos IPN=
In 2019, Duk was named the sixth head coach in the history of the Búhos IPN program, which was returning to Mexican football for the first time since 1985.{{cite news|url=http://onefaoficial.org/noticia/6d4fb953-8b0f-4ba5-9d4f-76884ba9c069|title=Búhos IPN: Una Oportunidad del Destino|publisher=ONEFA|first=Salvador|last=Larios Pérez|date=9 November 2021|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://serimas.com.mx/2021/11/06/aprender-y-conocer-lo-que-significa-jugar-en-onefa-duk/|title=«Aprender y conocer lo que significa jugar en ONEFA»: Duk|work=Servicios de Información Masiva|date=6 November 2021|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}} In his first year at the helm, he led the team to an undefeated season capped off by a 41–15 victory over the Lobos Plateados IPN to win the {{abbr|FADEMAC|Liga de Fútbol Americano del Estado de México A.C.}} league title.{{cite news|url=https://www.milenio.com/deportes/americano/buhos-ipn-campeon-conferencia-fademac-2019|title=Búhos IPN, primer campeón de la Conferencia Mayor Fademac 2019|work=Milenio|date=4 November 2019|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}} The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Búhos returned to ONEFA, after a 36-year absence, as a member of its Center-South Conference. Duk led the team to a 3–1 record, sitting atop of the Group A standings when the rest of the season was also cancelled.{{cite news|url=https://receptor.com.mx/2021/12/09/estadisticas-centro-sur-lideres-liga-mayor-2021/|title=Estadísticas Centro-Sur: Líderes Liga Mayor 2021|work=Receptor|date=9 December 2021|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}} The Búhos subsequently won the third-tier National Central Conference title in 2022, defeating the {{ill|Frailes del Tepeyac|es}} 20–17 in the final.{{cite news|url=https://magdeportes.com/onefa-es-un-fin-de-semana-norteno/|title=Onefa: Es un fin de Semana Norteño|work=MAG Deportes|first=Canndelario|last=González|date=17 November 2022|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ipn.mx/deportes/noticias/ver-comunicado.html?y=2022&n=39&t=15&u=2|title=¡Búhos Campeón!|publisher=Instituto Politécnico Nacional|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}
=Burros Blancos IPN=
Duk was named the head coach of the {{ill|Burros Blancos IPN|es}} ahead of the 2023 season.{{cite news|url=https://receptor.com.mx/2023/01/11/propondrian-desaparecer-buhos-ipn-para-mayor-2023/|title=Proponen desaparecer Búhos IPN para Mayor 2023|work=Receptor|first=Alberto|last=García Ramos|date=11 January 2023|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ipn.mx/deportes/noticias/ver-comunicado.html?y=2023&n=2&t=15&u=2|title=Presentan a Rafael Duk como Head Coach de Burros Blancos|publisher=Instituto Politécnico Nacional|access-date=31 January 2023|language=es}}
=National team=
Duk served as the offensive coordinator for the Mexico national team at the 1999 IFAF World Championship held in Italy, helping the team win a silver medal. He won another silver medal at the 2003 edition held in Germany, this time as an assistant head coach.
As a head coach, Duk led Team Mexico to bronze medals at the 2003 and 2007 NFL Global Junior Championships held in San Diego and Miami, respectively. He also commandeered the Mexico under-19 national team to consecutive bronze medals at the 2014 and 2016 editions of the IFAF U-19 World Championship held in Kuwait and China, respectively.
Personal life
Duk studied business administration at the Universidad del Valle de México.
Duk coached his son, Rafael Duk Ochoa, on the Búhos IPN.{{cite news|url=https://serimas.com.mx/2018/10/05/debut-triunfal-de-duk-en-juvenil-onefa/|title=Debut triunfal de Duk en juvenil ONEFA|work=Servicios de Información Masiva|date=5 October 2018|access-date=28 January 2023|language=es}}