Mike Krzyzewski's Run as USA Basketball Coach to End After 2016 Rio Games
Mike Krzyzewski, widely known as Coach K from Duke University, will be stepping down from his head coaching position with the United States basketball team after the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"I think it's time to move ahead. During the next season there will be a number of decisions made about the future of USA Basketball with Rio [the roster] and coaching," Krzyzewski, 68, said to ESPN. "There has to be a succession ... a planned succession with really good people so we can keep the continuity of the program going."
The coach, who led the Blue Devils to an NCCA Championship title over the Wisconsin Badgers in April, added, "Hopefully we can finish things up well with Rio and I would move onto something else with USA Basketball. But I think we're ready as an organization to do that, and I'm excited about the future because [of] what we've done over the last 10 years."
Since being hired by USA Basketball's Jerry Colangelo back in 2005, Krzyzewski coached the USA team to two Olympic gold medals in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), one world championship title in 2010 and a World Cup title in 2014. Krzyzewski's record with the national team is 75-1.
When asked who should replace him, Krzyzewski stated the one key requirement that would be beneficial is international experience.
"I think it would be good if somebody had experience in international basketball,'' Krzyzewski said. "They will pick the best person, from whatever -- the NBA or collegiate environment. They will pick the best person and complement that person with a great staff and infrastructure so we can have a chance to keep winning.''
In regards to the upcoming Olympics games, which are less than a year away, Krzyzewski stated that it is too early to create the roster now, especially since the 2015 season is about to start. Factors that can affect the players' decision to participate include family, health and contracts/commitments.
