Coach K will no longer coach USA basketball team

[David]

He made the announcement on Mike & Mike this morning. To say the least, it has been a good ride. Here is the link:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/8990848/mike-krzyzewski-done-team-usa-coach-7-years

[rsvman]

Not to be polite, but didn't we already know this? I thought he already announced that he wouldn't coach the USA team anymore. Maybe I'm wrong.



As far as I'm concerned, I'm really glad he's not coaching it anymore. It stressed me out a great deal. I kept thinking what would happen if somehow they didn't manage to win the gold medal; how much fuel for the anti-Duke, anti-Coach K sentiment would that provide?

Besides, he doesn't have anything left to prove on the international stage.

[Billy Dat]

A papal election and a new Team USA Coach selection all in the same year. I wonder when the white puff of smoke will emerge from Arizona?

I vote for Pop.

[Bluedog]

Not to be polite, but didn't we already know this? I thought he already announced that he wouldn't coach the USA team anymore. Maybe I'm wrong.


It was generally assumed, but, as far as I know, he never came out and definitively said, "I'm not coming back as coach." Jerry Colangelo kept saying he was trying to get Coach K back. This is the first definitive statement I've personally seen, so thanks for the link.

[rsvman]

It was generally assumed, but, as far as I know, he never came out and definitively said, "I'm not coming back as coach." Jerry Colangelo kept saying he was trying to get Coach K back. This is the first definitive statement I've personally seen, so thanks for the link.

My bad. :(

[AtlDuke72]

A papal election and a new Team USA Coach selection all in the same year. I wonder when the white puff of smoke will emerge from Arizona?

If Coach K cleans up his language I think he will be a shoo in.

[MCFinARL]

[QUOTE=Billy Dat;630200]A papal election and a new Team USA Coach selection all in the same year. I wonder when the white puff of smoke will emerge from Arizona?

If Coach K cleans up his language I think he will be a shoo in.

Um, one wife, three children, and five grandchildren say no--assuming you were referring to the Vatican smoke, not the Arizona smoke. ;)

[juise]

Granted, the being on the front page of ESPN does not make something newsworthy (Favre, T'eo, etc.), but they do have quotes from K's interview on the front page right now.

[AtlDuke72]

[QUOTE=AtlDuke72;630248]

Um, one wife, three children, and five grandchildren say no--assuming you were referring to the Vatican smoke, not the Arizona smoke. ;)

Definitely Vatican smoke . . . but I agree that there are a few details that will have to be worked out.

[davekay1971]

[QUOTE=AtlDuke72;630248]

Um, one wife, three children, and five grandchildren say no--assuming you were referring to the Vatican smoke, not the Arizona smoke. ;)

http://hnn.us/articles/696.html

It could happen!!!! Coach K for Pope!

[OZZIE4DUKE]

[QUOTE=MCFinARL;630250]

http://hnn.us/articles/696.html

It could happen!!!! Coach K for Pope!
Umm, NO! Coach K for Duke basketball coach! :)

[superdave]

The best coaches in the NBA - Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich and Doc Rivers - should be the first target. I think Doc would be interested, Popovich maybe interested. Phil would be unlikely to get involved, and probably does not have the energy to give it everything it takes to win the gold based on the fact that he wanted to skip out on some of the Lakers away games had he been named coach this year.

I am not sure there is an obvious college coach to draft. I think Tom Izzo and Jim Boeheim could be targets, with Izzo being the most likely to receive interest and give serious consideration.

If I were Colangelo, I'd go after Popovich, Doc, and Izzo in that order. We shall see.

[Jim3k]

If I were Colangelo, I'd go after Popovich, Doc, and Izzo in that order. We shall see.

And thinking long-term, Colangelo should figure a way to get Brad Stevens as the new coach's top assistant. If he succeeds, Stevens would likely be in the bag as a future USA head coach

[JasonEvans]

And thinking long-term, Colangelo should figure a way to get Brad Stevens as the new coach's top assistant. If he succeeds, Stevens would likely be in the bag as a future USA head coach

In that line of thinking, I believe Boeheim has been K's assistant for each of the past 2 Olympic games (so has Nate McMillen and Mike D'Antoni). It would make perfect sense for Boeheim to retire from Syracuse and do the USA Olympic thing as his coaching swan song. He knows the international system from his 2 stints with K and he certainly has the basketball know-how.

A pattern of assistants moving on to head coach makes a lot of sense for this job, that is somewhat unique from either college or pro coaching gigs. So, if you want to put Stevens or Izzo or someone else like that on Boeheim's staff to groom them for the 2020 Olympic gig, that would be just fine. I bet Collangelo and K would be quite comfortable with Boeheim taking over the reins as well.

-Jason "I would make Jimmy B a strong favorite to get this job at this point... if he wants it" Evans

[Billy Dat]

And thinking long-term, Colangelo should figure a way to get Brad Stevens as the new coach's top assistant. If he succeeds, Stevens would likely be in the bag as a future USA head coach

I get that Brad Stevens is a great college coach, but what has he done to this point in his career to suggest that he has the total package necessary to command the respect of NBA All Stars? He's coached a total of 2 NBA players. When K got the job, he'd coached more than 20, let alone won 3 natties. I don't think that kind of criteria can be ignored. Stevens doesn't exactly have an NBA brand.

It's not a job that comes around very often, let's see Wonderboy win some National Titles before handing him a coveted lifetime achievement award, which is essentially what the USA Coaching gig is.

[Billy Dat]

-Jason "I would make Jimmy B a strong favorite to get this job at this point... if he wants it" Evans

I'd be shocked if Boeheim got the job. I don't see Lebron throwing on the red, white and blue for a 4th Olympics to play for whiny Jim, unless Melo campaigns hard. Plus, I think his recent press conference meltdowns work against him.

[SoCalDukeFan]

The front page says no more duties. I will bet that K will be consulted on some matters - maybe the next coach, etc. Also the next coach should certainly contact K and get his ideas on what needs to be done to coach the team.

Assuming NBA players, then one of the more important factors in selection will be the ability to get the respect of the players. I would guess Izzo yes, Boeheim maybe and Stevens no. Top NBA coaches yes.

My personal choice would be Doug Collins. He is a good coach and has a history as a player in the game when the USA was robbed.

SoCal

[TruBlu]

I'd be shocked if Boeheim got the job. I don't see Lebron throwing on the red, white and blue for a 4th Olympics to play for whiny Jim, unless Melo campaigns hard. Plus, I think his recent press conference meltdowns work against him.

Do they allow zone defenses in the Olympics? Would any of the pros want to play zone? Does Boeheim know how to coach man-to-man?

Not trying to be snarky. I really do not know the answer to the above questions.

[Billy Dat]

Do they allow zone defenses in the Olympics? Would any of the pros want to play zone? Does Boeheim know how to coach man-to-man?

Not trying to be snarky. I really do not know the answer to the above questions.

Zones - yes
Pros playing zone - maybe, they are more used to man
Boeheim and man to man - it's not what he's focused on

I think your questions argue against his candidacy, but I just don't see him as the top dog. K is the master communicator. Pop and Doc have the respect of the current crop of NBA All Stars. I can't see Doug Collins, either, because I really don't think his coaching record justifies his candidacy, and I think the players empathize with his 1972 plight but I don't think he's a coach that players yearn to play for.

After Pop and Doc, Cal would be the best fit for the players but his rep sinks him. Izzo is interesting. The schedule fits better for a college coach then a pro due to the length of the season.

[Durham Thunder]

Good for Mike. He restored faith in US Basketball after the failure in 2004, and the grueling grind and travel of the U.S. team is a lot. K deserves to relax, and focus on his first love.

[gep]

The front page says no more duties. I will bet that K will be consulted on some matters - maybe the next coach, etc. Also the next coach should certainly contact K and get his ideas on what needs to be done to coach the team.SoCal

I read this... and thought immediately... the next coach can (and maybe should) be "coached" by Coach K. After all, handling the best NBA players is not *easy*. :cool:

[BD80]

Good timing on Coach K's part. He has made it "cool" again to play for Team USA. The next coach will have some momentum to keep the squad together, which is more important than the actual coaching.

Kobe is done. We lose a player that is willing to play defense at an international level. His leadership, particularly on defense, will be missed.

LeBron isn't a given. Doubtful he'll play in the World Games. I'd say probable for the 2016 Olympics - Rio will be off-the-hook for the athletes, particularly a star like LeBron. Hard to pass on that experience. He's the best and most important player, he is coachable - which makes every other player much more coachable.

Durant, likely, but not certain. Best offensive player in the international game. If he takes a pass on the World games, it sets a dangerous precedent, we could end up with a very talented "B" squad with little international experience that gets schooled by some of the much more experienced/cohesive international teams. A negative World Games experience could hurt the Olympic roster.

Melo. Definite wild card. Needs a coach he respects. With the right coach he is a GREAT team player and tenacious defender. Else? He could drag the entire team down with selfish play and lackluster D. Melo loose in Rio is a scary prospect.

Getting the right players is paramount. Even Pop can't get typical American NBA stars to play like the Spurs. It takes an exceptional case like Duncan, combined with foreign players like Ginobili, Parker, Splitter and Diaw.

[UrinalCake]

Coaching the national team is more about managing the egos of NbA millionaires and getting buy-in to play hard and defend. It's less about actual X's and O's imo. Coach K is the rare exception of a college coach who commands the respect of NBA players, and I don't think there's another one out there. As much as I dislike Calipari, he's someone I think could actually be considered. Only problem is his players won't stick around for more than a year! (rim shot).

So yeah I think it will go to Doc Rivers or Popovich or another well-respected NBA coach who relates well to the players. As for Coach K, expect him to take over Jerry Colangelo's role (Director if Basketball Operations?) when he steps down in a few years.

[oldnavy]

Roy's already turned the job down. Not sure he was ever offered it, but he turned it down just the same. ;)


"A native of North Carolina and a 10-year Smith assistant, Williams said he has had 23 firm offers from NBA and major college programs since taking the Kansas job in 1988".

This is from an article from the CNNSI right before Roy came to UNC.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2000/06/30/unc_williams_ap/

[superdave]

Roy's already turned the job down. Not sure he was ever offered it, but he turned it down just the same. ;)


"A native of North Carolina and a 10-year Smith assistant, Williams said he has had 23 firm offers from NBA and major college programs since taking the Kansas job in 1988".

This is from an article from the CNNSI right before Roy came to UNC.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2000/06/30/unc_williams_ap/

Everyone knows Roy can recruit. Unfortunately for him, everyone also knows he cannot coach. Xs and Os, an expert he aint. I think people just think he's an odd yokel. So I dont see him getting involved in spite of the solid resume.

I agree with the earlier posts that Boeheim could be in the mix. His main issue is he'd likely only be around for one Worlds and one Olympics. It would be nice to have someone with more commitment than that (Doc/Izzo). We shall see.

As far as speculating on who will be on the Worlds roster next year: Superstar Kyrie Irving. It could be his second coming out party after this year's Allstar weekend.

Coach K is going to be a tough act to follow next summer.

[David]

http://nba.si.com/2013/02/26/mike-krzyzewski-usa-basketball-coach-gregg-popovich-doc-rivers/?sct=hp_t2_a13&eref=sihp

I agree with the link above that suggests Popovich and Rivers are top two candidates. The article also mentionsh Spoelstra, Carlisle and Vogel as "worth considering" for the position.

If it was up to me, I would first offer the position to Popovich and then go to Rivers. After that, I think the quality of the choices (incl college coaches) falls off a bit.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

Roy's already turned the job down. Not sure he was ever offered it, but he turned it down just the same. ;)

As I understand it, Roy has a standing offer from the Olympic team, along with the reassurance that any players he asks will be more than happy to join. It's somehow tied in to the B1G Whatever...

(for clarification, this is a joke)

[jay]

Seriously, Colangelo, give it a rest. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/21779869/colangelo-wont-rule-out-coach-k-for-team-usa-in-2016)

[BD80]

Seriously, Colangelo, give it a rest. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/21779869/colangelo-wont-rule-out-coach-k-for-team-usa-in-2016)

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[sagegrouse]

Seriously, Colangelo, give it a rest. (http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/21779869/colangelo-wont-rule-out-coach-k-for-team-usa-in-2016)

Money quote:


Nothing changes until [Colangelo] hears it from Krzyzewski himself -- and it isn't time for that yet.

"He and I always have to have a final discussion," the USA Basketball chairman said Wednesday. "That's all. And you should know I'm prepared either way for what the result of that discussion might be."

IIRC Colangelo's magic potion to sway Coach K is to serve him pizza in the lobby of the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

sagegrouse

[throatybeard]

This is like a romantic comedy.

[David]

This is like a romantic comedy.

Colangelo: Coach, I wish I knew how to quit you.

[hurleyfor3]

It's Brett Favre in reverse.

[davekay1971]

As I understand it, Roy has a standing offer from the Olympic team, along with the reassurance that any players he asks will be more than happy to join.

(for clarification, this is a joke)

The best part is that Roy will bring along Blue Steel...you know, so he can get LeBron, Durant, Paul, and the rest of the stars back to the locker room before the buzzer sounds in case the Lithuanians are going to storm the court.

But, no worries, I'm sure Roy will do better than the last Tarheel to coach to US Men's Olympic team...

[brevity]

This is like a romantic comedy.

[phone rings, gets picked up]

JERRY COLANGELO: Hello? Coach? It's Jerry Colangelo. Please, please don't hang up. Basketball is changing. Players in other countries are getting younger, stronger. We live in a cyclical world. A cyclical world. And we work in a sport with tough competitors. Team USA needs you. Um, I need you. You... complete me.

SYLVIA HATCHELL: Shut up. Just... shut up. You had me at hello.