Steve Kerr is reportedly not expected to return as the head coach of USA Basketball after leading the men’s team to a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Kerr is set to step aside, having achieved his goal of securing Olympic gold.
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| Head Coach Steve Kerr of the USA Basketball Men's Team talks to the media after the game against the Canada Basketball Men's Team on July 10, 2024 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
Kerr, who has been with Team USA since 2016, first joined as an assistant under legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Together, they secured gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Kerr took over as head coach after Popovich stepped down following the Tokyo games.
Despite leading the team to a perfect 6-0 record in Paris, Kerr faced some criticism during the Olympics for his roster decisions, including benching star players like Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid in certain games. However, Kerr’s leadership ultimately guided Team USA to victory, defeating host country France in a thrilling gold medal game.
As Kerr prepares to depart, attention turns to his potential successors. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, both of whom served on Kerr’s staff in Paris, are considered leading candidates. Spoelstra, with a career record of 750-527 and three NBA titles, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Lue, known for his tactical acumen and a 312-217 career record, famously led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a historic comeback victory over Kerr’s Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Kerr will continue coaching the Golden State Warriors, where he has enjoyed immense success, but he is expected to hand over the reins of Team USA to a new head coach ahead of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Whoever is chosen will have the challenge of maintaining Team USA’s dominance on the global stage.
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