The NBA’s all-time winningest coach, Gregg Popovich, is stepping away from his role as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after an unparalleled 29-year tenure on the sidelines,
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement released by the team. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”
While Popovich will no longer lead the team from the bench, he’s not leaving the organization entirely.
The Spurs announced that he will now serve as the team’s president of basketball operations — a move first reported by ESPN.
Taking the reins as head coach is Mitch Johnson, who previously served as Popovich’s assistant and took over in an interim capacity during Popovich’s absence.
This transition marks the end of a legendary coaching career defined not only by victories but also by leadership and mentorship.
Popovich, 76, had been away from the bench since suffering a mild stroke on November 2 at the Frost Bank Center, the Spurs’ home court.
At the time, the organization assured fans of his recovery, stating he was undergoing rehabilitation and was “expected to make a full recovery.”
In a December update, Popovich maintained his trademark humor while revealing his eagerness to return.
“No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process,” he said. “They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”
During his time as interim head coach, Johnson kept the team steady, and he now steps into a historic role once occupied by one of basketball’s most respected figures.
Popovich’s influence has stretched far beyond the confines of the court. He mentored generations of players and coaches, championed diversity in coaching staffs, and was instrumental in pivotal moments for the league. In 2014, he made headlines by hiring Becky Hammon as an assistant coach, paving the way for greater inclusion of women in the NBA’s coaching ranks.
When Popovich was ejected from a game in 2020, Hammon made history as the first woman to serve as acting head coach in a regular-season NBA game.
Today, she’s a WNBA trailblazer, leading the Las Vegas Aces to consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023.
Popovich’s guidance extended to the collegiate level as well. At the NCAA Men’s Final Four this year, Houston’s head coach Kelvin Sampson praised the pivotal role Popovich played in shaping his coaching path.
Having joined the Spurs in 1988 as an assistant under Larry Brown, Popovich briefly left to assist Don Nelson at Golden State before returning to San Antonio in 1994 in a front-office role. On December 10, 1996, he appointed himself head coach after relieving Bob Hill of the duties, a bold decision that would become the foundation of a dynasty.
Over his NBA journey, Popovich racked up 1,422 regular season wins, a league record and 170 playoff victories.
His résumé includes five NBA championships and three Coach of the Year honors, placing him in elite company alongside Don Nelson and Pat Riley. On the global stage, he led Team USA to gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” said Spurs managing partner Peter Holt. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
