The San Antonio Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich has been named the head coach for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team.
Genny Noel
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According to Sports Illustrated, Popvich will take his place as coach in 2017 and replace, Mike Krzyzewski, who is also the head men’s basketball coach for Duke University. Krzyzewski will act as a “special advisor” for the national team.
Popvich made a statement in regards to the news.
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team. 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.”
Colangelo has been the managing director for the team over the last decade.
He also made a statement about Popvich’s new position.
“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.”
The National Team has seen great successes over the last two Olympic season, and it will be interesting to see how Popovich fits into the equation.
