Greg Popovich, the iconic head coach of the Spurs, has officially wrapped up his tenure.
The Spurs announced on Friday that Popovich will step down from his role as head coach and transition to a full-time position as the team’s president of basketball operations.
“Even though my love for the game remains, I felt it was time to move on from the head coaching role,” Popovich shared in a statement released by the Spurs. “I am immensely grateful to the incredible players, coaches, staff, and fans who have supported me during my time as head coach. I look forward to continuing my support for an organization, community, and city that I deeply care about.”
In Popovich’s place, Mitch Johnson has been promoted to interim coach, as reported by ESPN.
Popovich, a Basketball Hall of Famer, is often regarded as the greatest coach in NBA history.
He joined the Spurs as an assistant in 1988 and went on to secure five championships over 29 seasons as head coach. Under his leadership, the Spurs reached the NBA Finals six times: in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, and 2014, with the 2013 series against the Miami Heat being the only time they fell short.
“It’s remarkable how profoundly Coach Pop has affected our family, San Antonio, the Spurs, and the game of basketball,” said Peter J. Holt, chairman of Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “His honors don’t quite capture the impact he’s had on so many lives. He’s truly a unique leader. Our entire family is grateful for his incredible 29 years as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
Widely regarded as one of the top coaches in NBA history, Popovich had the privilege of coaching legends like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. He also hit the jackpot in the 2023 draft lottery, where the Spurs landed the first overall pick and chose Victor Wembanyama.
At 76, Popovich’s shift to the front office comes after he left his coaching duties in February to recuperate from a stroke he suffered the previous November.
Recently, he fainted at a restaurant, needing to be taken away by ambulance, which raised concerns about his health.
Now, Johnson faces the challenge of succeeding a coaching legend.
This season, the Spurs have posted a 10-18 record under Johnson, who stepped in as interim head coach during Popovich’s absence.
