Did you catch that iconic moment during the Paris Olympics? No, it wasn’t just another gold medal victory. It was Carmelo Anthony stepping into the role of “Coach Melo” alongside Steve Kerr, getting involved like never before. Yet, after the games, Melo brushed off any talk about coaching in the NBA. However, his son, Kiyan, recently shared a heartfelt desire to see his dad as “Coach Melo” one day. His dream? To have his dad in his corner when he steps into the league.

Kiyan recently appeared on WNBA star Angel Reese’s podcast Unapologetically Angel, where he opened up about everything from college plans to growing up under the shadow of his famous dad. When Reese asked if Melo had ever coached him, Kiyan laughed, revealing he had tried to get Melo to coach him during his last year of college, but his dad wasn’t keen on the idea. “He was like, he gonna be there, he gonna be on the sidelines, but he don’t want to coach. I don’t know why,” Kiyan admitted. But Kiyan’s not giving up. When he gets to the NBA, he plans to ask again, though he knows his dad just prefers “watching, observing, and telling” him what he sees.

Interestingly, Carmelo Anthony recently opened up on the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast about that moment in Paris and the Olympic spirit that took over him. Despite his coaching reluctance, he admitted, “In this, it was no holds barred. This is real. It was us against the world.” That passion, that drive to contribute—even from the sidelines—came alive. “I have to do everything I have to do to give back to this game to help you win this game,” he said, echoing the intensity that only Olympic competition could ignite.

He even shared a pep talk he gave to LeBron and others during the games, reliving his strategic mindset. “Bron, we gotta dig deep… KD [Kevin Durant], go get the ball, Joel [Embiid], go get the screen… This is what we want.”

For Melo, his just “being competitive from sideline”. so why doesn’t he start coaching?

Melo doesn’t want to make a career out of it

It’s not rare for former NBA stars to turn to coaching after their playing days. The experience they bring from the court can be a tremendous asset on the sidelines. But Melo? He doesn’t see himself following that path. Sure, he’s got a wealth of knowledge, but not every great player makes a brilliant coach. And as Melo pointed out, that’s especially true for him.

Before the Paris Olympics, Carmelo Anthony had made it clear—NBA coaching wasn’t in the cards. He’s active with youth leagues and backs his own Team Melo in the Nike EYBL, even helping out with his son’s squad. Still, the NBA sidelines don’t appeal to him. He’s open to coaching at the high school level, where he’d have more control. “I don’t want to be just another failed NBA coach,” he’s said plainly.

Melo drove the point home on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. “That is exactly why I can’t be a coach,” he shared. High school? Maybe. But in the NBA? “No big-time player has gotten back on the sideline and was successful… we operating at a different level,” he added, pointing to legends like Magic Johnson, who struggled in coaching roles.

And he’s got a point. “If you a big-time player, you got ego, you got pride, right?” Melo explained.