Report: Popovich the 'No. 1 choice' to lead Team USA after Coach K steps down
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is the leading candidate to take over as head coach of Team USA once Duke's Mike Krzyzewski steps down in 2016.
Popovich is "clearly, unquestionably the No. 1 choice," to lead the senior men's basketball team following Krzyzewski's final Olympic run in 2016, a source told Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
Popovich's sterling track record speaks for itself. The five-time NBA champion has guided the Spurs to 16-straight 50-win seasons dating back to 1999, and the 66-year-old is widely hailed as the NBA's best bench boss. He also has international experience, as he served as an assistant for Team USA between 2002-2004.
Hiring Popovich, however, comes with a few complicating factors. For one, there would be a conflict of interest since Popovich is committed to the Spurs, which might lead him to favor his own players.
That problem could be avoided if USA Basketball director Jerry Colangelo hired another collegiate coach in Kentucky's John Calipari, who "wants it bad," since leading Team USA would double as a tremendous recruitment tool for the Wildcats.
Rick Carlisle, Doc Rivers, Billy Donovan, and Arizona's Sean Miller also named as potential candidates.
No matter the replacement, filling Coach K's shoes will be extremely difficult. The 68-year-old amassed a 75-1 record since taking over the head coaching position in 2005 and has two Olympic gold medals and two FIBA World Championships on his mantle.