Tony Parker has racked up almost every title a point guard can want—four NBA rings, a Finals MVP, and a Hall of Fame jacket. Now, as of August 22, 2025, he’s talking openly about a new role: coach. Not today, not tomorrow, but—his words—“in the very long term.” Here’s what’s fact, what’s possible, and why this could get fun for Spurs fans and hoop nerds alike.
What Parker Actually Said (and When)
In fresh reporting synthesized from his remarks to L’Équipe, Parker shared that he’s interested in coaching—both at the NBA level and, eventually, for France’s national team—but he’s taking the responsible, paperwork-first route: he plans to earn a coaching diploma, then “see in May” what opportunities exist. He also stressed that Les Bleus are currently “in very good hands,” so any national team aspirations are a distant horizon. That’s measured ambition, not a headline grab.
“My dream is to coach in the NBA… I’m going to get my diploma and we’ll see in May, depending on the opportunities.” — Tony Parker, via L’Équipe reporting summarized by the San Antonio Express-News, Aug. 22, 2025.
Where He’s Been Since Retiring
Parker didn’t disappear when he left the court in 2019. He became the face and guiding hand of LDLC ASVEL in France—serving as president and long-time majority owner—steering men’s and women’s programs and articulating big goals (EuroLeague relevance, Final Four dreams). He’s even said he intends to remain club president through 2030, despite changes to his shareholding. That front-office decade is real management experience, not just TV studio talk.
There have been bumps. In May 2025, a French public auditing body criticized ASVEL’s finances as not viable long-term. That’s the kind of governance reality any would-be coach coming from an executive chair understands: budgets, partners, sustainability—useful context for someone headed into a modern locker room.
Also worth remembering: he’s Naismith Hall of Fame, Class of 2023, alongside Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, and his old coach Gregg Popovich. Translation: credibility in any NBA room is not a problem for Tony Parker.
🇨🇵🤩 Tony Parker has revealed his dream of coaching in the NBA!
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 22, 2025
👀 The former San Antonio Spurs playmaker is beginning the process of obtaining the State Diploma already this year, in 2025. pic.twitter.com/NXO1YIAQlu
Why a Parker Coaching Chapter Makes Basketball Sense
- Elite point guard IQ: Parker’s career was a masterclass in pace, reads, and paint touches—the same instincts you want to teach young guards.
- Player development chops: ASVEL under his leadership has been about pipeline building and competitive standards. That’s development culture, not just star-chasing.
- Bilingual, bicultural edge: NBA rosters are global; Parker speaks that language—literally and figuratively.
What Fans Should (and Shouldn’t) Expect
Expect Parker to spend time learning the trade like everyone else who slides from playing to coaching. Expect a lot of curious front offices to call. Don’t expect a “name-only” fast-track; the modern NBA demands data fluency, player-care coordination, and staff orchestration. If anything, Parker’s executive years at ASVEL suggest he knows how much unseen work is required before the opening tip.
The Big Picture: Parker’s Coaching Fit in 2025
Basketball is more global, more tactical, and more development-driven than ever. A coach who understands EuroLeague structures, NBA locker rooms, and national team rhythms brings a rare Venn diagram. Parker checks those boxes—and he’s choosing a process (study, certify, then decide) over a press-conference shortcut. That’s a good sign for whatever bench he joins.
“Dream big” is a nice poster. “Get the diploma first” is a real plan.