WRAL Sports Fan

Duke

Krzyzewski: Winning the gold 'the most rewarding' accomplishment

Jun 11, 2009

Mike Krzyzewski told WRAL Wednesday night that a decision on his future as U.S. national team coach will come out in July.

“Whether I’m in an administrative role or a coaching role, it’ll still be my team,”Krzyzewski said Wednesday night at a book signing in Raleigh.

Krzyzewski was the coach for three seasons and led the Americans to the gold medal in Beijing last summer. The U.S. had finished a disappointed third in the 2006 World Championships. He said he proud of the way the team, built with professional stars, came together for a common goal.

“Everyone who’s involved with USA Basketball is a team player, and we have one common purpose. That’s the culture that is there, to do it right. We want to make sure that going forward, we develop that culture even more.”

USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller says chairman Jerry Colangelo had a productive meeting with Krzyzewski this week, and they agreed a coaching decision will be made before the Americans' minicamp for young players from July 22-25 in Las Vegas.

Colangelo previously said he expected to announce the coach in the fall.

Krzyzewski was at a booksigning Wednesday night in Raleigh promoting his new book chronicling his journey to the gold medal at last summer's Olympics.  He called the gold medal his "biggest accomplishment.

"Winning the gold was the most rewarding because it was on a global scale," Krzyzewski said. "It was the world, it was your country. When you get on that stage and you win, obviously there’s nothing that can really compare to that."

Krzyzewski also seemed confident he can continue to handle a dual role with the U.S. team and with Duke. Many Duke fans had wondered if his multiple responsibilities would wear him out heading into the rigors of a college basketball season.

"It's ours, it's our country's team," he said.  "Whether I'm in an administrative role or coach, it will still be my team."  He added "Whatever I finally decide to do I'll be satisfied with it; otherwise I wouldn't make the decision."