Gregg Popovich, the leading candidate to succeed Mike Krzyzewski as head coach of the USA National Team after the 2016 Rio Games, has been officially named by USA Basketball as the next head coach from 2017-2020.
From USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo:
“I’m absolutely delighted to announce Gregg Popovich as head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team for 2017-20. There is no doubt in my mind that we have the great fortune of bringing on board one of the NBA’s best and most successful coaches ever to lead the USA National Team for the 2017-20 quadrennium. By making this decision now, it will allow us to have a clean, efficient and immediate transition following the 2016 Olympic Games,” said Colangelo, who has served as the Managing Director of USA Basketball Men’s National Team program since 2005 and has seen those teams compile a 75-1 record.
“Obviously this is an incredibly exciting step for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team program as we will transition following the 2016 Rio Olympics from one of the game’s greatest coaches in Mike Krzyzewski to another of basketball’s greatest coaches in Gregg Popovich. This progression plan will also help ensure that our National Team will continue to build on the culture and success we have achieved since launching the program.
From Popovich:
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team,” said Popovich, a 1970 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. “What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of 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.”
Popovich’s tenure as head coach, if the USA qualifies, would include 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Team USA is currently on a 63-game winning streak which dates back to 2006.
Gregg Popovich is the longest tenured coach (19 seasons) in the NBA and in all U.S. major sports leagues. He has led the San Antonio Spurs to five NBA championships since 1999.
