San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was named the head coach of the U.S men’s national basketball team on Friday.
Popovich will replace Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski who has decided to step down as coach of the national team after the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Krzyzewski has been the coach of the U.S. team since 2005. He had a 75-1 record and led the U.S. to two Olympic gold medals and two world titles, according to the Associated Press. Krzyzewski will stay on as a special advisor to the team. Popovich will take over in 2017 in training camp and coach the team through 2020, including the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the 2020 Olympics, if the team qualifies.
"I’m extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team,” Popovich said in a statement, Yahoo Sports notes. “What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of [USA Basketball executive director] 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.”
Popovich has been the Spurs coach since the 1996-97 season. He is considered to be one of the best coaches in the game. He has a 1,022-470 all-time regular season record and has won five NBA titles with the Spurs, according to Sports Illustrated. Popovich has been named the NBA’s Coach of the Year in 2003, 2012, and 2014.
The U.S. men’s national team has won 63 consecutive games since 2006. It will be interesting to see if Popovich can keep that streak going.