For Mike Krzyzewski, the 2016 Rio Olympics will be his last at the coaching helm after announcing recently that this will be his last stint as head coach of Team USA.
Krzyzewski revealed this through ESPN, saying that it is time to move forward and that a successor is likely to be named before the 2016 Rio Olympics gets going.
Krzyzewski, who is also the head coach of Duke University is credited to leading the USA to two Olympic gold medals. The first one came in 2008 and the other in 2012.
Aside from that, Krzyzewski was also behind the 2010 World Championship triumph and the 2014 World Cup. Overall he is 75-1 since being named as USA Basketball head coach back in 2005.
Seeing that he is bound to wrap up his tenure as coach of the USA team, Krzyzewski wants nothing more than a good send-off, another gold medal which would be perfect for the man who has been at the helm for the past 10 years or so.
Krzyzewski is as clueless as most on who would likely replace him as head coach. It could be someone from the college or the NBA ranks though no one has so far been mentioned as potential candidates.
Regardless of the origins of his successor, the important thing is that the person who would eventually inherit the reigns has international experience.
"I think it would be good if somebody had experience in international basketball," Krzyzewski told ESPN.
"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.''
Aside from the news that he is stepping down, Krzyzewski remains mum on who will compose the team once the Rio Games come around.
There were a lot of NBA personalities around at the Las Vegas Mini Camp recently, including the ones who are coming off injuries. That includes Kevin Durant and Kevin Love, two key players that should give Team USA a big boost.
On that matter, here is what Krzyzewski had to say:
"It's just a matter of a few things -- contract, family and health. Those are the three things. If everything was OK, you'd see a great representation. For a few of them, it's their last go-round.
USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo, who was aware of Krzyzewski plans earlier on, remains mum on who could be succeeding him. But as Krzyzewski says, that individual will be the best person for the job.
The only question now is who.
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