Greg Popovich, the iconic head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, has decided to step down from his coaching role due to ongoing health challenges related to a stroke he suffered last year.
At 76 years old, Popovich will transition to a full-time position as team president.
“Greg Popovich is no longer the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, but is moving full-time to team president,” sources shared with ESPN.
This announcement follows an incident two weeks ago when Popovich fainted at a restaurant in San Antonio. His health issues escalated significantly in mid-November, culminating in a stroke that ultimately left him sidelined for the season.
Mitch Johnson has taken over coaching responsibilities during Popovich’s absence.
These health challenges surfaced amid the Spurs’ efforts to regain a competitive edge in the NBA’s Western Conference, following the acquisition of 7’4″ sensation Victor Wembanyama in the draft.
The Spurs find themselves in new territory, having secured the overall #1 pick in 2023 after a lengthy period of dominance under Popovich, and being outside playoff contention in 2024.
Since his appointment in 1996, Popovich has guided the Spurs to five NBA championships, accumulating 2,291 career wins with a .621 winning percentage.
