« I want to change careers »: Tony Parker to become… a coach!
In an interview with L'Équipe, Tony Parker announced he wants to become a coach! The ASVEL president will pursue his State Diploma to embrace a coaching career.
Photo Credit : Julie Dumélié
After making history as a player and president of ASVEL, Tony Parker is opening a new chapter in his life. The former Spurs point guard has enrolled in DES, France’s highest coaching diploma, and has already led his first practice session. His ambition is clear: return to the court and eventually coach in the NBA.
The president turned apprentice coach
The news seemed improbable when we first heard it on June 19, but it’s now official: Tony Parker is part of the 2025-2026 class of DESJEPS and DEPB, professional coaching diplomas issued by the French Basketball Federation. Registered after the deadline but supported by the FFBB, the ASVEL president confirmed his career change to his trusted journalist, David Loriot from L’Équipe.
🗨 Tony Parker announces to L’Équipe that he wants to become… a coach!
🗣️ « I want to change careers! »
👔 Inspired by Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, TP has enrolled in the State Diploma.
🇺🇸🇫🇷 Dreaming of NBA and Team France…
9️⃣ https://t.co/GDYRuVfXcN pic.twitter.com/RQPN4H6uIg
— BeBasket (@Be_BasketFr) August 21, 2025
Thursday morning, the U15s at the Tony Parker Academy experienced an unprecedented moment: their boss led the practice session. With clipboard in hand, confident voice, and varied drills, « TP » got his first taste of coaching. « I missed the court. The adrenaline, the daily routine, I missed all of that. I think the timing is right for me, » he confided.
Elite mentors: Popovich, Zidane, Henry, Collet
The idea came from a discussion with Gregg Popovich, his legendary coach at the Spurs. Then footballers Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, both having transitioned to coaching, encouraged him to take the step. « They convinced me to pursue the DES. I don’t actually need it to coach in the NBA. But I thought: why not go back to school, » explains the Normandy native and adopted Lyonnais.
For this training, he will be guided by two references: Vincent Collet as mentor and Nordine Ghrib as tutor. « Vincent Collet is, for me, the best coach in French national team history. Who better to learn from, between him and Popovich, » emphasizes the NBA champion.
The NBA dream… and maybe Team France one day
Though already approached by some NBA franchises this summer, Tony Parker chose to wait until completing his diploma. « First impressions are very important in the United States. I prefer to be well-prepared and respect the profession, » he insists.
Long-term, the goal is clear: become an NBA coach. But the former point guard isn’t ruling anything out, not even coaching Team France one day: « In the very long term, why not. But first I need to prove myself. »
This turn could also mean the end of his tenure as ASVEL president by 2026. « You can’t do both at the same time. We’ll see in May, but it’s possible this will be my last season as president, » Parker admits.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve est le fondateur et rédacteur en chef de BeBasket, qu’il anime depuis 2010 (sous le nom de Catch & Shoot). Passé par l’Ecole Publique de Journaliste de Tours, puis deux universités en Amérique du Nord, il a pu développer son expertise sur le basket français, de la Ligue Nationale aux divisions amateurs, durant ces 20 dernières années. En parallèle, il est aussi engagé dans le développement de clubs du côté de Montpellier.
ASVEL
Follow
Tony Parker
Follow
Commentaires