Steve Kerr, after securing Olympic gold in Paris, is reportedly stepping down as the head coach of the USA Basketball men’s team. According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Kerr is not expected to continue in his role, and either Erik Spoelstra or Tyronn Lue is slated to replace him. Both Spoelstra and Lue served as assistants under Kerr during the Paris Olympics.
Kerr, a four-time NBA champion as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, joined Team USA as an assistant under Gregg Popovich post the 2016 Olympics. Following Popovich’s departure after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Kerr was named as his successor. Despite a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Kerr guided the team to Olympic gold in Paris with a star-studded roster including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.
The upcoming head coach for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will inherit a successful program with an NBA championship-winning background. Spoelstra boasts an impressive coaching record with the Miami Heat, leading the team to six NBA Finals appearances and two championships. On the other hand, Lue has achieved success with the Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, including an NBA championship victory over Kerr’s Warriors in 2016.
The Paris Olympics saw Team USA dominate their group-stage matches and secure a thrilling victory in the gold-medal game against France. Kerr now joins an elite group of coaches who have won both an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal as head coach. As Team USA looks ahead to the future, the transition to a new head coach signals a new chapter for the program as they prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.