With Mike Krzyzewski stepping down as head coach of Team USA after the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the vacancy is expected to be filled by Spurs head coach and Team USA assistant Gregg Popovich.
If one of the younger, upcoming coaching minds in the NBA were to be considered, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens would welcome the opportunity with open arms.
From Marc D’Amico of Celtics.com:
Stevens on potential of being approached to coach @usabasketball: “You say yes before they can even get the question out of their mouths.”
— Marc D’Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 21, 2015
Despite commenting on the position, Stevens has not yet been pursued.
A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN Northeast:
Stevens told CSNNE.com that talk of replacing Krzyzewski has “never once been brought up to me on any front.”
Stevens would undoubtedly be an appropriate candidate for this position. He may stay in the running in the future, but the job looks like Popovich’s to turn down. Almost in political fashion, it may have still been wise for Stevens to express his interest, at the very least to put himself on USA Basketball’s radar. Stevens has the respect and acumen to coach the league’s best talent on that level. His time could be coming.
