Vincent Collet, who has been at the helm of the French men’s national basketball team since March 2009, has stepped down from his coaching position. The French Federation of Basketball (FFBB) announced on Monday that Collet will now serve as Special Advisor to the National Technical Directorate of the FFBB.
Under Collet’s leadership, Les Bleus competed in six EuroBasket tournaments, four FIBA Basketball World Cups, and four Olympic Games. The team achieved significant success, including winning the EuroBasket championship in 2013, securing two Olympic silver medals, and earning two third-place finishes at the World Cup.
“It’s a little more than a page that turns,” Collet reflected on his departure. “I’ve been a coach for 26 years and I’ve had the immense honor of being the national selector. It was the right time for this final curtain.”
In his new role, Collet will provide guidance on training players and coaches within the FFBB. However, the federation noted that if he accepts positions from NBA franchises or Euroleague teams, his advisory role could be interrupted.
“I remain a coach. I also think that I will coach again one day,” Collet said. “I don’t feel done, not finished. And that’s very important because in these missions that are very much linked to transmission, it’s the coach’s perspective that we’re looking for. A transmission that will sometimes be individual, in the support of certain coaches, and collective in the training of players. It is therefore important to remain a coach in your mind.”
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Vincent Collet leaves France coach position, becomes advisor in FFBB
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