Buffs’ Boyle named head coach of 18U national team for U.S.

BOULDER » Once again, Tad Boyle’s coaching career is taking a notable national team detour.

This time, it’s as a leading man.

On Friday, USA Basketball announced that Boyle, who this year finished his 12th season leading the Colorado men’s team, will be the head coach of the U.S. U18 national team this summer at the FIBA Americas Men’s Championship.

It will be Boyle’s fourth stint as a member of a national team coaching staff, but his first as a head coach. The FIBA Americas tournament includes teams from

North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The specific dates and location of the tournament will be announced at a later date.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton and Leon Rice of Boise State (a possible foe of the Buffaloes in November at the Myrtle Beach Invitational) will serve as Boyle’s assistants. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, SMU coach Rob Lanier, and Colgate coach Matt Langel will work as court coaches during a pretournament training camp in Houston. All staff decisions are made through USA Basketball’s Junior National Team Committee.

The U.S. has won nine of the 11 FIBA Americas championships since the tournament’s inception in 1990.

“I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to coach the 18-and-under national team,” Boyle said in a statement released by CU. “Anytime you have the opportunity to represent your country, it’s a responsibility that needs to be taken very seriously, and I’m looking forward to doing that and working with a bunch of great young men and being back with USA Basketball.

“Working with this coaching staff is an opportunity for me to grow professionally, and for us to grow professionally together.”