Nooooooooo, COACH K Is Leaving!!!!
Since 2005, Team USA Men’s Basketball has only lost one single game in international play. Led by Mike Krzyzewski, the team has went 75-1 over the last decade and are likely repeat a GOLD victory medal next summer after the 88-1 after the 2016 exhibition and Rio 2016 Olympics games.
However, Coach K has a chance at becoming the first U.S. men’s basketball to win three consecutive GOLD medals, he has announced that this is final season with the team and will put sole focus back on the Duke Blue Devils next year. This puts a huge void for the team, as essentially every coaching candidate from collegiate to professional is looking to grab up the job. While you’re probably saying to yourself, why doesn’t the greatest living basketball coach take the job?
Well, while Gregg Popovich is the obvious no. 1 choice, we’re not sure if he’ll be willing to commit to this type of job – given his age and the veterans leaving the team. He’s likely to remain on the sidelines for the San Antonio Spurs until the end of LaMarcus Aldrige’s contract in 2019. Committing another 4 years to the program just doesn’t seem likely.
Helmed by President of Basketball Operations, Jerry Colangelo, the team is in a great position to properly bring in a fresh new face, but many around the league are wanting an NBA-proven coach for the unit. After this page, we’ve put together a list of five potential candidates not named Popovich, who can fill in the void Coach K will leave in the coming months.