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Krzyzewski initially announced last summer that the London Olympics would be his swan song with Team USA. USA Basketball officials, sources said, continue to hold out hope that Krzyzewski can be talked into one more tour in charge of the NBA stars who represent the United States at the highest levels of international competition. ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

USA Basketball's original plan called for the coaching situation to be clarified by late 2012 or early in 2013, with Colangelo expected to turn to San Antonio's Gregg Popovich or Boston's Doc Rivers if Krzyzewski held firm. But sources told ESPN.com that optimism within the program was rising that Krzyzewski might ultimately prove willing to reconsider his stance that London was "the last time." However, Krzyzewski told ESPN.com's Andy Katz this week that "nothing has changed with anything." "(USAB) is not going to make a decision until the summer," Krzyzewski told Katz. "Nothing has changed with me. Usually in these situations, they don't do it while basketball season is going on. Nothing has changed. Right now, obviously -- I love USA Basketball -- but I'm trying to keep my head above water with my own team." ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

One source close to the situation described the prospect of Colangelo convincing his good friend to carry on as "absolutely" still his preferred scenario. In a late November interview with ESPN.com, Colangelo revealed that he had not yet spoken to either of the two acknowledged favorites to succeed Krzyzewski -- Popovich or Rivers -- because he had not yet abandoned hope of getting the Duke legend to reconsider. ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

When I spoke to Colangelo this week, before Restgate erupted, all he'd disclose about his presumed coaching vacancy is that (A) he still hasn't abandoned hope of convincing Krzyzewski to come back for one more ride and that (B) he hasn't yet spoken to Popovich or Rivers but says both deserve "great consideration." After initially targeting the end of 2012 to have all this resolved, Colangelo also revealed that he plans to have Coach K's replacement "set this spring for sure" if his pleas go unanswered. "I've had preliminary conversations with Coach K about the future," Colangelo said. "He has a really good team at Duke and that's where his mind should be right now. I think he went through a very tiring experience in London and he made statements to that effect, but I think he was having early withdrawals a few weeks after he was home, which is typical when you're on such a high. He's such a big part of USA Basketball. We're so close, as close as can be, so I only want what's best for him. I really want to have some discussions with him that brings some finality to it. And we have haven't had those yet. ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Asked specifically if the ship has sailed in terms of trying to woo Krzyzewski back with the usual doses of pizza and wine, Colangelo stressed: "No ship has sailed anywhere." ESPN.com

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

All through the summer, as Team USA pursued its second consecutive Olympic gold medal and its third straight international tournament championship, team chairman Jerry Colangelo remained coy about his future with the organization. He dropped hints that, unlike coach Mike Krzyzewski, he would be returning for another tour with USA Basketball, at least through the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but he would not specifically confirm that he was planning to be back. On Tuesday, it became official —Colangelo was elected chairman of Team USA again. “I'm excited to again serve USA Basketball as chairman for the next four years,” Colangelo said in a statement. “I'm proud of the many successes USA Basketball's coaches and players achieved over the past four years and I'm looking forward to helping keep that momentum going. Sporting News

Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Jerry Colangelo on Tuesday was re-elected chairman of USA Basketball's board of directors for 2013 to 2016, a period which includes the 2014 men's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain and women's World Cup in Turkey and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Colangelo has transformed the U.S. men's team after a disappointing bronze medal and disinterested effort at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Since Colangelo joined USA Basketball in 2005 as managing director of the men's national team, the U.S. men are 62-1 with gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 world championships and 2012 London Olympics. The men did not lose a game at those three events under Colangelo and U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski. USA Today

Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski, World Championship 

Take a look at the transcript below from Colangelo’s recent interview on SheridanHoopsRadio. When the subject of who would replace Mike Krzyzewski was raised, Colangelo threw Rivers’ name out there without any prompting. (And while he was at it, he flat-out rejected the notion of Russia’s head coach, David Blatt, an Israeli-American who played collegiately at Princeton, coming under consideration for the job. The next Team USA coach will lead the team in the summer of 2014 at the World Cup (formerly known as the World Championship) in Spain. SheridanHoops

Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski, David Blatt 

Krzyzewski and James started to get to know each other once Krzyzewski took over coaching duties for Team USA in 2005. James was part of Coach K’s first Team USA experience, when the team finished third at the World Championships in 2006 — setting the stage for a gold medal performance at Beijing in 2008. James and Krzyzewski won gold for the second time this past summer in London. “[Krzyzewski] understood him and Kobe [Bryant] and those other guys who didn’t go to college,” said Wade, who was with Team USA in 2006 and ’08. “And if you can pick one college coach to play for, obviously, Coach K tops that list for many,” Wade said. “They took their relationship personal; he pushed him. And [James] didn’t get that experience. You can tell they both really loved it.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

It is the closest the Heat gets to Krzyzewski’s campus in Durham — just a few miles away. Krzyzewski hasn’t confirmed whether he will be attending the game, but James said on Monday that it would “be awesome” if he did. “We have a great relationship,” James said. “We’ve been together since ’05, and our relationship has grown every year. I’ve grown from a young man into a man into a leader of that team. He’s helped me develop that. I give a lot of credit to him.” Miami Herald

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Former Duke player Lance Thomas has settled a lawsuit that claimed he owed almost $70,000 from a jewelry purchase made during his senior season. "We have reached a settlement," Mike Bowers, the attorney for Raefello & Co., wrote in an email to the News & Observer. "I cannot make further comment." According to the suit, Thomas made a $30,000 down payment and was supposed to pay the remaining balance of $67,800 within 15 days of the transaction that occurred in December of 2009. Nearly four months later, the Blue Devils won their fourth national title under coach Mike Krzyzewski. When the lawsuit become public earlier this month, questions arose about how Thomas was able to afford the purchase while a college student and why he was extended a significant line of credit. If he received an impermissible benefit, he would be ruled ineligible and Duke could possibly be stripped of the championship. USA Today

Law, Mike Krzyzewski, Lance Thomas 

Coach K is stepping down from the US who would you like to see coaching the US national team? -Anon Rudy Gay: Hmm, someone like Doc Rivers or maybe Coach Popovich – they have both done a great job where they are. HoopsFix.com.com

Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Rudy Gay, Doc Rivers, Coaching, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

David Baumann: #Magic G @JJ Redick on Coach K: "There's always a chance he'll coach that Olympic team one more time." Twitter

Orlando Magic, Coaching, JJ Redick, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

That begs the question: Will Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski whip out one of his player's gold medals that he led them to last month coaching Team USA in the Olympics when he visits Randle and Kyles Tuesday? “Ya know that’s a great question,” Randle said. “I’d love to see it.” Added Kyles: “Oh yeah that would be nice to see.” High School Sports

Draft, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski, John Calipari, Julius Randle 

Colangelo told me it was about understanding and connecting with a vast array of personality types, getting the trust of NBA superstars who could sacrifice ego for the good of the team. First, Colangelo wanted to hear first-hand what it was like to be a player on the Olympic basketball team. It's a unique experience, and he didn't want to assume he had all the answers. Picking the "right" coach depended on his understanding how the players felt and what motivated them. Harvard Business Review

Michael Jordan, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, USA Basketball, Lenny Wilkens, Mike Krzyzewski, Larry Bird, Chuck Daly 

In what can only be described as a virtual "Who's Who" of NBA superstar talent, in 2005 Colangelo called a special meeting of former Olympian basketball players. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West, and Hall of Fame Coaches Dean Smith, Lenny Wilkens, and Chuck Daly, among others, gave their input. It was a superstar group therapy session. They laid bare all concerns—one of most hailed players of our time, for instance, voiced concerns about looking stupid on a global stage. At that moment, choosing the right coach became a very personal endeavor. Harvard Business Review

Michael Jordan, Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, Jerry West, USA Basketball, Lenny Wilkens, Mike Krzyzewski, Larry Bird, Chuck Daly 

Armed with an agreed-upon set of qualities, Colangelo was now comfortable soliciting candidate names from the group. He gave specific instructions to nominate potential coaches only if they fit the just-established requirements. "A bunch of names went on the white board, all with stellar win-loss records. We talked about each one, weighing the pros and cons," Colangelo told me. Harvard Business Review

Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

At one point during the debate, Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith of UNC—soft-spoken off the court—voiced "loud support" for Mike Krzyzewski, better known as Coach K, head coach of Duke University. As Colangelo told this story, he couldn't resist the opportunity to set me straight, "You're from Louisville and you think that the Louisville/Kentucky game is a big deal and a big rivalry. But that's nothing compared to the rivalry when UNC plays Duke. They play for blood. So when Coach Smith told us that no one will connect with and motivate the players like Coach K, the whole crowd was silent. That was a big moment for all of us." Harvard Business Review

Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

A few minutes later, Colangelo sent around a secret ballot box and asked everyone to cast a vote. "But make no mistake," he said, "I had to cast the final vote. With decisions this big, you can't pass the buck." Harvard Business Review

Coaching, Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball, Mike Krzyzewski 

Coach Mike Krzyzewski helped Team USA beat Spain in the gold medal game on Sunday then reiterated that he would not be back as the head man on the bench for the 2016 games in Rio. Naturally, minutes later began the speculation as to Coach K's replacement. Doc Rivers, who has analyzed the Olympic basketball games for NBC this summer, said that anyone who was asked to take over would say yes -- including him. He wouldn't say that he's the best man for the job, though. Instead, Rivers thought another member of NBC's broadcast team would be more suited for the position: Doug Collins. "And there's a reason," Rivers said. " '72." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers, Coaching, USA Basketball, Team USA, Mike Krzyzewski, Doug Collins