USA Hoops Names Warriors’ Steve Kerr Head Coach, Succeeding Popovich
Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:50AM NYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service
December 20, 2021: In a move that was organic and preserved the continuity of the program, Steve Kerr, head coach for the Golden State Warriors, has been named head coach for the USA Men’s National Team.
Kerr is succeeding Gregg Popovich, who coached the men’s team to a gold medal at the Tokyo Summer Olympics, with Kerr as an assistant coach.
Kerr also played for Popovich on the San Antonio Spurs, winning a NBA championship in 2002-03.
The coaching staff for the 2022-24 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, named by USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill, also includes Mark Few, the Gonzaga University head coach, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams.
The USA Basketball Board of Directors approved the selections.
Earlier this month, Cheryl Reeve, WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx head coach and general manager, was named head coach for the USA Basketball Women’s team
"There is no question in my mind that this is an extremely experienced and talented coaching staff,” Hill said via USA Basketball. “Steve now joins a list of coaching legends who have led USA men’s national teams to a remarkable legacy.”
The USA Basketball Men’s Team has won four consecutive Olympic gold medals: 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Should the U.S. men qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kerr’s appointment would be subject to approval by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
As head coach, Kerr will lead the USA National Team from 2022-24, which includes all USA Men’s National Team training camps, and, if the USA qualifies, the 2023 FIBA World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia (Aug. 25-Sept. 10, 2023).
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games are scheduled for July 26-Aug. 11.
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to represent our country as the head coach for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” Kerr said via USA Basketball. “It’s a thrilling opportunity and I’m excited for the challenge.
“Obviously, there are numerous people who I need to acknowledge and thank, notably Grant Hill, Jim Tooley and Sean Ford of USA Basketball, and, of course, Gregg Popovich and Jerry Colangelo (USA Basketball Men’s managing director), who gave me the opportunity to be an assistant coach on the most recent USA staff.”
Kerr won five NBA championships during a 15-year playing career (Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs) and has won three as head coach for the Warriors.
According to Kerr, “Coaching the USA Men’s National Team comes with great responsibility — one that calls for a group effort with a team of coaches committed to the team, to the goal and to each other — and I couldn’t ask for a finer group of high character individuals to help me lead our national team.
“Our goal, of course, is to win and make our country proud. We will work hard to do so.”
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