San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on Friday was named head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team from 2017-20.
Popovich, 66, will replace current Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski following the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Popovich's Team USA coaching tenure could possibly include the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, pending qualifying. Popovich, a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, has coached the Spurs since the 1996-97 season and has led the team to five NBA championships.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team,” Popovich said in a statement. “What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of [USA Basketball executive director] Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski is truly impressive. I will do my utmost to maintain the high standards of success, class and character established by Jerry, Coach K and the many players who have sacrificed their time on behalf of USA Basketball.”
Krzyzewski, 68, will move into a special adviser role with Colangelo and the USA National Team during Popovich’s tenure. Since taking charge of USA Basketball in 2006, Krzyzewski has led the team to a 75-1 record, and won two Olympic gold medals and five of six FIBA or FIBA Americas competitions.
Colangelo told Yahoo Sports in July that he did not think he could persuade Krzyzewski to return after the 2016 Olympics and that he had begun the process of looking for a successor.
“Gregg Popovich is the ideal choice to take over as head coach of the USA program," Krzyzewski said in a statement. "His long track record of success – both in terms of winning championships and creating a culture of excellence – are well documented and, rightfully so, he is considered among the very best coaches in the world. Because of his military background in which he selflessly served his country, coupled with his unique ability to bring out the best in his teams, this leadership appointment makes perfect sense."
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