Who can replace Steve Kerr as coach of Team USA? Exploring potential candidates for 2028 Olympic coaching staff
Reports have indicated that Steve Kerr might be stepping down as Team USA's head coach after leading the team to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Kerr is expected to retire from his role, meaning Team USA will likely have a new head coach for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Kerr, who is also the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, took over Team USA's head coaching duties for the 2022-24 cycle. During this time, he led the team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, following in the footsteps of Gregg Popovich.
Before Popovich, who coached Team USA to win the gold medal in 2020, legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski led Team USA to three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016.
As Kerr's potential departure looms, here are three candidates who could replace him as the head coach of Team USA.
3 potential candidates to replace Steve Kerr as Team USA head coach
1, Erik Spoelstra
Erik Spoelstra, currently viewed as the strong internal favorite, served as an assistant coach for Team USA under Kerr.
The Miami Heat head coach has a proven track record, including two NBA championships with the Heat during the "Heatles" era with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
His experience coaching high-profile players makes him well-suited for the national team, as he has demonstrated an ability to effectively manage different personalities.
Under his leadership, the Heat have achieved a 750-527 regular-season record and 110-79 postseason record through the 2023-24 season, along with nine division titles and six conference championships.
2, Tyronn Lue
Tyronn Lue, who also served as an assistant coach for Team USA during the 2022-24 cycle, is another strong candidate.
Lue is the current head coach of the LA Clippers and has significant experience in coaching at the highest level, including leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA championship in 2016. Since taking over the Clippers in 2020, Lue has compiled a 184-134 record and guided the team to the playoffs in four out of five seasons.
3, Dan Hurley
Team USA could also consider hiring a successful college coach, as they did with Coach K.
Dan Hurley, the head coach of UConn, is a potential candidate. Hurley has led UConn to back-to-back national championships and has a 141-58 record over six seasons with the team.
Although he has garnered NBA interest, Hurley remains in college coaching and recently signed a six-year, $70 million contract to stay with UConn.