Colorado Springs, CO (My Sportsbook) - Duke's Mike Krzyzewski will coach the U.S.
basketball team from 2006-08, a span that includes the 2006 world championships and 2008 Olympics.
The appointment was reported earlier this month, but USA Basketball made it official on Tuesday.
"Mike Krzyzewski is the right man at the right time," said national team managing director Jerry Colangelo. "His loyalty and commitment to his country is more than self evident and his success as a leader of men is also a part of who he is.
Krzyzewski, who has had tremendous success at Duke, is the first college basketball coach to head a U.S. world championship or Olympic team since NBA players joined the Olympic Games back in 1992.
"For me, this is the ultimate honor in coaching," said Krzyzewski. "It is a chance to represent the United States at this elite level of basketball. I am honored to be chosen and look forward to the opportunity to developing this team that will represent our great country in its own sport, both on and off the court."
The 58-year-old will inherit a team filled with NBA players and perhaps some college talent as well, but will be heavily counted on to improve the country's lackluster showing in the last two international competitions.
In 2002, the United States was a disappointing sixth at the world championships in Indianapolis, while the 2004 Olympic squad finished third and earned a bronze medal in Athens.
Those two teams were the first American squads not to win gold medals in world championship or Olympic competition since play was opened to professionals.
The 2006 world championships will take place in Japan while the 2008 Olympics are in Beijing.
Krzyzewski, an assistant to former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly on the 1992 Olympic team, has been the head coach of the Blue Devils since May 4, 1980. In 25 years at Duke, he has compiled an overall record of 685-188, including the postseason, and has guided the Blue Devils to 10 trips to the Final Four and three national championships.
A 12-time National Coach of the Year, Krzyzewski was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
