It's three more years for Team USA and Mike Krzyzewski, according to multiple media reports. The 62-year-old coach, who skippered the so-called "Redeem Team" to an 8-0 record and a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, is expected to be tabbed for an encore performance later this month, a story first reported by the Boston Globe's Marc J. Spears.
Krzyzewski, a former captain in the U.S. Army and coach at West Point, called the job the "ultimate honor" when he was originally named to the position in October, 2005, and quickly set about revamping Team USA's image, following disappointing finishes at the world championships in 2002 and the Olympics in 2004. Krzyzewski finished the Olympic cycle with a 36-1 record in international competition and a host of gold medals draped around his neck after Team USA defeated Spain in the final game in Beijing.
Team USA chariman Jerry Colangelo had expected to name a coach in the fall, but is now expected to officially name Krzyzewski at a press conference July 20 or 21.
"With the success that we had, I would do everything in my power to keep everything intact," Colangelo told The Associated Press.
"I'm a strong believer in not upsetting the apple cart."
Krzyzewski's return may also help retain the USA's top players for the London Games, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. (Can a Krzyzewski puppet be far behind?)
"[Krzyzewski] is everything I thought he would be and more," Bryant said in an interview with Duke Sports Information in 2007. "I have been excited and waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Playing for him now, you realize why he is such a great coach."
For Krzyzewski, who has won three national titles and is on pace to break former mentor Bob Knight's all-time men's Division I coaching victories mark, the commitment will require more time away from the Blue Devils, a program that's lost some of its postseason luster during Krzyzewski's commitment to the Olympic program. Since Krzyzewski was named coach before the 2006 college basketball season, Duke is just 5-4 in the NCAA tournament, and hasn't advanced past the Sweet 16.
Krzyzewski would be the first to lead Team USA in successive Olympics since Henry Iba in 1964, 1968 and 1972 and could match Iba as the only coach to win two gold medals.
