Gregg Popovich, the iconic head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is stepping away from his position, but not leaving the NBA entirely. The 76-year-old legend, who took a leave of absence in November after suffering a mild stroke, will now serve as the Spurs team president.
Popovich’s decision marks the end of an era, as he steps down from a 29-season tenure that saw him become one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. Reportedly, in his career, Popovich amassed a record-breaking 1,422 regular-season wins, five NBA championships, and six NBA Finals appearances.
The icon’s departure from the sidelines comes after the Spurs gave him space to decide his future following his health scare. In a statement, Popovich expressed his love for the game but acknowledged that the time had come to step away as head coach. “While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” he shared. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff, and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach.”
As Popovich moves into his new role as president, the Spurs have hired Mitch Johnson as their full-time head coach, after filling in as interim head coach for 77 games during the 2024-25 season.
Popovich began his coaching career at Pomona-Pitzer before moving on to the NBA. His most notable achievement came in 1997 when he drafted Tim Duncan, and on to also tap stars like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The team went on to build a legacy that would win four more championships.
As head coach of Team USA, he also led the team to a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, after a rocky seventh place finish in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The Spurs’ chairman, Peter Holt, praised Popovich’s extraordinary impact on the organization and the game of basketball. “He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader, and coach,” Holt stated.
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