Spoelstra Bringing The Heat To USA Basketball! Named As New Head Coach; Replaces Steve Kerr

Last Updated:October 15, 2025, 15:30 IST

Erik Spoelstra becomes USA Basketball head coach for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, succeeding Steve Kerr after his Paris Games success.

Miami Heat and now new USA Basketball head coach Erik Spoelstra (X)

It’s been a long time coming, but the moment has finally arrived — Erik Spoelstra is taking charge of USA Basketball.

On Tuesday, USA Basketball made it official: Spoelstra, the longtime Miami Heat coach, has been confirmed as the new head coach of the U.S. men’s national team for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

He’ll be succeeding Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, whose run ended after leading Team USA to a fifth straight Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.

“Absolutely, absolutely humbled. I mean, it is the honor of a lifetime," Spoelstra told The Associated Press.

“And I’m just really appreciative of it and being a part of the USA Basketball program. The Olympics are incredible, no matter where they are, but to have the opportunity to compete on your own soil, that’s simply remarkable."

Making History

Spoelstra will become just the third person to coach the U.S. men’s team in a home Olympics, following Bob Knight (gold in 1984, Los Angeles) and Lenny Wilkens (gold in 1996, Atlanta).

He’s also the first Heat coach ever to hold the position — and he’ll be doing it in Los Angeles, the city where his boss, Pat Riley, became a coaching legend with the Lakers.

The Rise of a Coaching Legend

Spoelstra’s coaching story is one of steady grind and long-term success. He joined the Miami Heat in 1995, not as a coach but as a video coordinator. Bit by bit, he worked his way up — becoming an assistant coach, then taking over the team in 2008 from Riley himself.

Since then, Spoelstra has led Miami to six NBA Finals (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020, and 2023) and captured two championships in 2012 and 2013 with the famous “Big Three" — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. He also earned an NBA ring in 2006 as an assistant coach.

Today, he’s the longest-tenured coach with one team in the NBA, widely respected for his work ethic, innovative strategies, and ability to make the most out of any roster he’s given.

(with AP inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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