Steve Kerr, head coach of Team USA Basketball, will not be returning to lead the team after guiding them to a gold medal victory in the Paris Olympics. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra or Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue are expected to replace Kerr.
Steve Kerr, the successful head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Team USA Basketball, has announced his decision to step down as the head coach of the national team after leading them to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
Kerr, who joined Team USA as an assistant coach under legendary coach Gregg Popovich in 2016, has been a part of the team's success since then, securing gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In 2023, Kerr took over as head coach after Popovich stepped down following the Tokyo victory.
Steve Kerr Steps Down as Team USA Basketball Head Coach After Gold Medal Victory
Despite a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Kerr's leadership was instrumental in guiding Team USA to a thrilling gold medal victory in Paris, where they defeated host country France in an exciting final game.
However, Kerr's tenure was not without controversy. He was criticized for benching star players like Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid during certain contests, and even referred to himself as an "idiot" after leaving Tatum out of the team's first game in Paris.
Steve Kerr Steps Down as Team USA Basketball Head Coach After Gold Medal Victory
Despite these critiques, Kerr's ability to manage a star-studded roster that included Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant, and make tough decisions based on matchups, led Team USA to an undefeated 6-0 record in Paris, securing the country's fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal in basketball.
USA Basketball is now faced with the task of selecting a suitable replacement for Kerr. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue are considered leading candidates, both having had successful coaching careers in the NBA.
Steve Kerr Steps Down as Team USA Basketball Head Coach After Gold Medal Victory
Spoelstra, a product of the Popovich coaching tree, has an impressive 750-527 career record and has led the Miami Heat to six NBA Finals, including three victories, in his 17 seasons as head coach.
Lue, with a slightly better 312-217 career record, has coached the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers, notably guiding the Cavs to an NBA Finals victory over Kerr's Warriors in 2016.
Kerr's departure from Team USA will allow him to focus solely on coaching the Golden State Warriors, while USA Basketball will embark on a new era with a new head coach at the helm, preparing to defend their Olympic title in Los Angeles in 2028.
