Steve Kerr Named Next Team USA Head Coach
Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it looks like Team USA has found its next head coach. Starting with the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Warriors shot-called Steve Kerr will be taking over Gregg Popovich’s position as Team USA’s lead on the bench.
Included in Kerr’s staff will be NBA coaching vets Monty Williams (Phoenix Suns), Mark Few (Gonzaga) and Eric Spoelstra (Miami Heat). Kerr, a winner in the NBA with three titles of his own in Golden State, was one of Pop’s assistants in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics where the US continued its hoops dominance to win their gold medals.
This decision marks a shift in era for USA Basketball as new director Grant Hill begins to make his moves to leave his imprint. Last year’s Olympic team struggled a bit as the FIBA rules have remained largely consistent over the years, as have - most importantly, maybe - the ways refs call fouls. The new NBA rules this season were, to a degree, seen to mirror those of the overseas clubs where physical play is more encouraged than foul-baiting.
The decision also comes at a great time, as it’s widely-believed Gregg Popovich will be retiring as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs very soon. It’s gotten to the point where the Spurs organization seems to be preparing for that scenario as early as after this season ends. San Antonio seems to have the young guns to get things done, of course, so it likely will be a smooth transition, but it’ll still be a shock to have the NBA without Pop.
Kerr’s shift to head coach of Team USA doesn’t indicate much of a shift in style, as Kerr has often cited how much he learns from Popovich as a coach. The Warriors have played a similar style to the Spurs over the past few years, mostly relying on high-octane offense and switchable defense to win their games. Popovich was also a former assistant to Warriors legend Don Nelson, considered by many to have engineered the offenses of modern hoops.
This has other ramifications as well, including heightened likelihood that guys like Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson will be joining the Olympic squads for their later runs. While Curry has already expressed interest, it’s feasible to believe Kerr’s appointment will increase his interest, and it’s obvious both Klay and Dray would fit in very well with whatever schemes Kerr decides to use.
With Popovich moving closer to retirement, Team USA has been left in good hands. While other countries have national teams that are beginning to look stronger and stronger, it’s decisions like this that will keep the US ahead of the competition. And it’ll set up fun matchups, like Kerr coaching against assistant Mike Brown when the US plays against Nigeria at the international stage.
This is an excellent move for the future of Team USA. Congratulations to Steve Kerr!
(Photo credit: Tim Clayton / Getty Images)