Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is expected to be named the new lead coach of the United States’ men’s basketball team, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN.
According to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press, a deal between Spoelstra and USA Basketball has not yet been finalized, but Miami’s longtime coach is the frontrunner for the job to succeed Steve Kerr.
As Reynolds writes, Spoelstra was an assistant on Kerr’s staff at both the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The Americans finished in fourth place at the World Cup, but won their fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics.
Assuming Spoelstra finalizes a contract with USA Basketball, he would lead the U.S. at the 2027 World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Reynolds notes.
After Gregg Popovich stepped down as coach of the Spurs in the spring, Spoelstra became the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA by a significant margin. The 54-year-old is entering his 18th season as head coach of the Heat, compiling a 787-572 regular season record (.579 win percentage) and 110-83 mark in the playoffs (.570).
Spoelstra has led Miami to six NBA Finals appearances during his time at the helm, winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.
Spoelstra has been widely viewed as one of the top coaches in the league for years, so the news isn’t surprising. Still, it’s a significant accomplishment — Spoelstra told The Associated Press after last year’s Olympics that he “would be honored” to be the top coach of the men’s national team.
Talk about a unstoppable force. I remember when they first hired him and everyone lost their s***. Good for you, E.
Now he gets to experience what every coach before him got to experience its no fair my favorite player didn’t get to play. Its a thankless job.
It’s hardly thankless. Coaching the US International Team is a crowning achievement to any coaching career. It translates into the kind of recognition and lasting legacy that great coaches care a lot about. And, let’s face it, that also means money.
Spoelstra, Kerr, Popopich, Coach K. Elite company. “Gold Medal winning…”
And I doubt Kerr could care less about what Jayson Taytum or his mother thinks. Neither would Spoelstra. The goal is to win, and any player that puts himself over his country regrets it later.
Anyone other than Kerr is a win.
Happy for Spo, well deserved!
What’s wrong with Kerr?
This will easily be the hardest stint for Spo.
The rest of the world has caught up in hoops …. then no Curry, no LeBron, no KD.
Length, shooting and all forms of athleticism will be needed e.g. Flagg
> The rest of the world has caught up in hoops …. then no Curry, no LeBron, no
> KD.
@mike.honcho, You’re right. It’ll be the first time the US will not be favored against the 80’s, when we used true amateurs. But the critics won’t spare Spoelstra if we don’t win.
It’s amazing how far the quality of US talent has fallen relative to the rest of the world. With Steph and LeBron gone, USA lacks a Top 5 player that can take over a game against. Add to that the fact the US national team prepares less together than other countries and is inexperienced in international rules.
Imagine the next US team led by Tatum, Mitchell, Edwards, and Haliburton. IMO, that team wouldn’t have won against Jokic/Serbia or Wemby/France in the Olympics last summer.