Erik Spoelstra is reportedly set to take over as the next head coach of the U.S. men’s national basketball team, succeeding Steve Kerr as the program looks toward the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Spoelstra, the longtime Miami Heat coach, is expected to be formally introduced by USA Basketball in the coming days, replacing Kerr as the head coach of a team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to the Associated Press.
Despite little experience working for Team USA, Spoelstra has been the leading candidate for the role for some time. He was a lead assistant on Kerr’s staff during the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Shortly after the team won gold, Spoelstra said he “would be honored” to take over as the head coach, per The AP.
This move would extend Spoelstra’s growing influence on the international stage while maintaining continuity for a program that has dominated Olympic competition for nearly two decades.
The U.S. men have won the last five Olympic gold medals, a streak dating back to 2008, though their World Cup performances have been more unsteady, including a fourth-place finish in 2023 and a seventh-place finish in 2019.
Spoelstra, 54, has spent his entire NBA coaching career with the Miami Heat, guiding the franchise to six Finals appearances and two championships during his 17 years in the role.
USA Basketball has not yet confirmed the hiring publicly, though multiple outlets reported that discussions are in advanced stages.
Meanwhile, Kerr’s departure follows his completion of a four-year term that began after the 2021 Tokyo Games and ended with the Paris victory.
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will now mark the fourth consecutive Olympic Games in which the program has a different head coach at the helm, with Kerr holding the role in 2024, Gregg Popovich being the head coach for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and Mike Krzyzewski holding the role for the three Olympic Games prior.
If finalized, Spoelstra’s tenure will begin with preparations for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, though it remains unclear when that official announcement may be made.