According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino has expressed interest in taking over for Mike Krzyzewski as the coach of the United States men’s Olympic basketball team. Krzyzewski coached Team USA in the 2008 & 2012 Olympics. He coached his final game for Team USA yesterday, defeating Spain in the gold medal game.
Excerpt from ESPN:
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich have indeed already moved to the top of the list to take over in 2013 for Krzyzewski, who is expected to remain with the program as a top aide to Colangelo if he can’t be convinced to extend his coaching tenure. Sources say Louisville coach Rick Pitino has also expressed strong interest in the position, but the general expectation in USAB circles is that Krzyzewski will be succeeded by an NBA coach. Current Team USA assistants Mike D’Antoni and Nate McMillan, meanwhile, are regarded as long-shot contenders.
It sounds like the next coach for Team USA will likely be an NBA coach, but it’s still pretty shocking to see Coach Pitino showing interest in the gig. I’m sure Pitino would do a fine job, but I’d hate to see it take away his focus from the Louisville program.
August 13, 2012 at 3:34 pm
After he wins the NCAA crown twice in the next four years he will be ready for a new challenge.