In a notable shift for the San Antonio Spurs, Mitch Johnson has been named the new head coach—this marks the first time in almost three decades that someone other than Greg Popovich will take on this role. The announcement came on Friday, shortly after Popovich confirmed he would step down from coaching to focus fully on his position as president of the team’s basketball operations.
Since 1994, Popovich has been at the helm of the Spurs, juggling both coaching and executive duties for 29 years. It’s a significant change in leadership for the franchise.
Johnson, who has been part of the Spurs organization for nine years, initially joined the G League affiliate in Austin, Texas, in 2016 and has served as an assistant coach with the Spurs since 2019. He also coached the San Antonio team during the NBA Summer League in both 2022 and 2023. Interestingly, during the 2024-25 season, he managed to take on Popovich’s responsibilities for 77 games while the five-time NBA champion recovered from what was described as mild strokes.
In a statement on Friday, Popovich expressed his deep appreciation for the players, coaches, staff, and fans who made his coaching tenure special. “While my love and passion for the game remains, I have decided it’s time to leave as head coach,” he stated. He also mentioned his excitement about continuing to support the organization and community.
Johnson will officially assume his new role on Monday. Reflecting on his remarkable journey, he noted, “When I got the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I never thought the opportunity would be ahead of me. Sometimes the biggest moments come from the least likely places.”
Peter J. Holt, the managing partner for the Spurs, shared his enthusiasm for Johnson’s promotion, highlighting the calmness and potential he has demonstrated during his time with the organization. Meanwhile, Spurs star Victor Wenbanyama expressed confidence in the new coaching direction, trusting that Johnson will grow successfully into his new role.
Before stepping into coaching, Johnson played for Stanford as a four-year starter and had stints in the G League and Europe. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Spurs and thanked Popovich and other key figures for their trust in him to carry on the team’s culture. “I am committed to giving Spurs fans everything they can be proud of,” he assured.
