Mike Krzyzewski, the man responsible for helping Team USA return to its former glory, has told the Associated Press that he won’t be returning after the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Coaching the team, he claims, has been “the ultimate honor”.
The Duke coach, along with USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, were instrumental in helping reestablish and reinvigorate the team after placing third in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Krzyzewski began coaching the team in 2008, and, with to the help of Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James, brought home the gold medal in Beijing. The turn around came after Krzyzewski and Colangelo developed a player pool system designed to “give the program structure”.
Although Krzyzewski is leaving the team, he says that he’ll still be involved with USA Basketball after his departure. Twitter fans seems a little troubled by the news, as you can tell from the tweets embedded below.
I’m not a Duke fan (that’s like rooting for the Yankees) but I respect what Coach K has done for Team USA. http://t.co/XX8bvlj9
Mike Krzyzewski says he thinks the London Olympics will be his last coaching the United States. :/
Krzyzewski not likely to return for 2016 Games. http://t.co/YaDqVIct. I would say he is easily one of the best coaches ever.
Mike Krzyzewski says the 2012 Olympic Games will likely be his final stint coaching Team USA. Then, hopefully, he takes over the #Lakers
London Olympics likely to be Mike Krzyzewski’s last stint as USA head coach. Glad I’ll be there to witness it,&that he’s not leaving Duke!