One advantage college coaches have over NBA coaches is that we never have to see our players get old and lose their games. College "veterans" are junior and seniors, normally not older than 22 years old, and years away from any decline. Indeed, if we are doing our jobs right as coaches, our players continue to improve each year, and hit their peaks -- athletically and in game-knowledge -- as seniors.
Gregg Popovich must miss that part of the college game, especially now. Unlike college players, NBA players all decline. Over the past few years, Pop has witnessed the decline and retirement of The Great Duncan, and now is dealing with the decline of My Man Manu and the Oui Frenchman.