It's official: Erik Spoelstra the next Team USA Olympic coach

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Oct 14, 2025

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MIAMI — What has been speculated for weeks and was all but confirmed last week now is official: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is the next USA Basketball coach, to lead Team USA through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” Spoelstra said in Tuesday’s formal announcement. “Representing our country and leading world-class athletes to marquee competitions is one of the greatest privileges in sport. I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence and teamwork that defines USA Basketball.”

Spoelstra had served as an assistant to Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr during the previous Olympic cycle, which ended with Team USA gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The upshot will be busy upcoming offseasons for Spoelstra, who is entering his 18th season as Heat coach.

Spoelstra also will lead Team USA at the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Additionally, he will coach at training camps and USA Basketball Showcase exhibitions prior to both the World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Spoelstra was selected for the role by USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team Managing Director Grant Hill and then approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors.

“I have known Erik Spoelstra for the better part of two decades and have gotten to know him better throughout our time with USA Basketball,” said Hill, the former NBA All-Star. “Spo is not only an outstanding coach, but a great colleague, friend and father, all of which make him the perfect choice to continue the USA Basketball Men’s National Team coaching legacy through 2028.”

Said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley, “Erik Spoelstra is one of the most widely respected head coaches around the game of basketball. As the longest tenured coach with one team, along with his involvement with USA Basketball the past several years, he is well positioned to lead the USA Men’s National Team at the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games.”

Spoelstra has led the Heat to NBA championships in 2012 and 2013 and six total NBA Finals appearances (most recently in 2023). He also was an assistant coach for the Heat’s 2006 NBA title run, after starting as video coordinator with the franchise in 1995.

“On behalf of the USA Basketball Board of Directors, we welcome Erik Spoelstra as the USA Men’s National Team head coach,” USA Basketball Chairman General (Ret.) Martin Dempsey said. “Erik is a proven winner in both the NBA and in international basketball competition. He is also a gifted leader. We are grateful he has agreed to take on this challenge for USA Basketball and for his country.”

In July 2021, Spoelstra took on his first USA Basketball coaching responsibility as head coach of the 2021 USA Select Team that trained with and against the 2020 U.S. Olympic team that would win gold in Tokyo.

Then, on Dec. 20, 2021, Spoelstra was announced as an assistant coach for the 2022-24 national team cycle under Kerr, alongside Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and Gonzaga coach Mark Few.

From the start, Spoelstra, 54, has made clear he would serve in whatever USA Basketball role was requested.

“It felt like a pinch-myself moment to be asked to be a part of USA Basketball’s program,” he has said of the experience. “It’s something that I dreamt about for a long time. It has an illustrious history, and we’ve all followed the history of the U.S. program for a long time.”

Roster move

In another move designed to bolster their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat on Tuesday waived undrafted Utah guard Gabe Madsen in order to sign undrafted Tempe forward Steve Settle.

Madsen, who was aware he would be forwarded to the Skyforce, was signed last week by the Heat and played in the preseason losses Sunday and Monday in Orlando and Atlanta, respectively.

Settle was with the Heat during summer league and is expected to be waived by Saturday’s 5 p.m. cutdown deadline for regular-season rosters.

The Heat continue to operate with a vacant two-way roster spot, already with the NBA opening-night maximum of 15 players under standard contract.

The Heat conclude their preseason schedule Friday at 8 p.m. against the Memphis Grizzlies at Kaseya Center, then open their 38th regular season next Wednesday in Orlando against the Magic.