Project Spurs’ Trevor Zickgraf advocated for San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich to take the 
reigns as the next head coach of the USA basketball team once Mike Krzyzewski steps away after this summer’s Olympic games in London. And it appears Pop might be offered the job if Team USA goes with a pro coach for the 2016 games.
The head of USA Basketball, Jerry Colangelo, said Popovich is a leading candidate for the head coaching spot.
“You have to be able to adapt. Coach K came in and we changed the infrastructure, the culture, the program. After London, we’ll sit down and look at everything. Pop would certainly be a leading candidate if it’s going to be a pro coach.”
Of course there was some reported ill-will between Pop and Colangelo when Coach K was chosen over Pop but according to Colangelo, it was simply a case of misunderstanding.
“If you recall, Mike and Pop were my two choices in 2005,” Colangelo said in a phone interview. “When I talked to Coach K, he almost jumped through the phone. I didn’t sense that same enthusiasm in my conversation with ‘Pop.’ Afterward, he sent me a letter and said I misinterpreted what he said. He felt I had misjudged him, and maybe I did. But that was a long time ago. How can anyone argue with his record, his performance? With him as a great coach?”
It is hard to argue against Pop taking over the reigns as head coach of Team USA but you have to wonder if Pop is willing to still coach in 2016. That’s four years from now and who knows if he will have stepped aside as Spurs head coach or simply just be done with the game of basketball as he sips wine in retirement.
However, a chance to coach on the international level could be appealing to Pop. He pretty much has been coaching international teams in San Antonio and has experience with Team USA as an assistant coach in 2004 in Athens.
If Pop takes the job, there is no doubt Team USA will be gaining one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.
What do you have to say Spurs fans? Can you see Pop guiding Team USA for the 2016 Olympic games?
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