Longtime French basketball coach Vincent Collet resigns

French men’s basketball coach Vincent Collet is stepping down after 15 years.

Collet, France’s longest-serving coach in history, was appointed special adviser to the basketball federation’s technical management on Monday after leading his team to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last month.

Collet led France to six European Championships, four World Cups and four Olympic Games.

The French federation said its new mission could be disrupted if Collet accepted offers from NBA franchises to work as an assistant coach, or from teams participating in the Euro League that might want to hire him.

Collet has coached France in 253 matches, achieving a record 179 victories, according to the federation. Under his leadership, the team has won eight medals at major international competitions.

The US defeated France 98-87 in the final of the Paris Games. For the second consecutive Olympics, the French had to watch the Americans hold up American flags to celebrate the title. Three years ago, the French lost 87-82 to the US in Tokyo.

“Two Olympic finals, three EuroBasket finals. It’s a privilege and an honor to have experienced these emotions,” said Collet.