Coach K Could Return To Team USA For 2016 Rio Olympics

Coach K could be back on the sidelines for Team USA.

Mike Krzyzewski is reportedly in discussion to return as the coach of the United States Olympic men’s basketball team for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. Coach K talked about the possible Team USA return with SI.com, saying that he and USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo have been in talks about it.

“I think it’s very close to being resolved,” Colangelo said in the SI.com report. “That’s all I can say for sure. Give it another week and it should be resolved.”

The report noted that Colangelo held off a planned search for the next coach of Team USA while Krzyzewski coached Duke. Colangelo said he never looked into other candidates to lead the team.

Coach K admitted that he could be back to the team.

“There’s a chance,” Krzyzewski told SI.com. “That’s correct.”

Coach K has led Team USA since the disastrous 2004 Olympics and 2002 world basketball championship, when the Americans had lackluster finishes and teams that failed to gel.

Coach K took a new approach, holding tryouts and pulling together a squad that has showed better cohesiveness. As a result, the Americans have not lost a game since finishing third at the 2006 world championship.

The reports that Coach K could return to Team USA are in contrast to statements he made earlier this year.

The Duke head coach announced in February that he wouldn’t return as USA Basketball’s coach, ESPN reported. Speaking with ESPN Radio’s “Mike Mike in the Morning,” Coach K said he expected USA Basketball to name a successor wh owould prepare the team for the 2014 world championships in Madrid.

“I’ve loved, loved, loved, and it’s been an honor being with the USA Basketball team,” Krzyzewski said at the time. “And to coach the team and work with [chairman and president Jerry Colangelo] for seven years has been marvelous.

“And we’re in a good spot,” Krzyzewski added. “We need to keep building.”

If Coach K does return to Team USA, it could still be a while before he is on the sidelines with the American squad. They are not scheduled to play again until 2014.