Gregg Popovich, the architect of one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties and the winningest coach in league history, has officially stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. After 29 seasons filled with championships, records, and global respect, the 76-year-old basketball icon is transitioning into a new role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Popovich’s departure ends a coaching era that began in 1996—an era marked by unparalleled consistency, fierce competitiveness, and unrivaled class.
A Legendary Resume
Popovich’s accomplishments are staggering. He leaves with a regular-season record of 1,422 wins and 869 losses, and 170 playoff wins—both historic numbers. He led the Spurs to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), 22 consecutive winning seasons, and a league-wide reputation for excellence. Under his leadership, the Spurs became the gold standard for how a franchise should be run—on and off the court.
His coaching tree is extensive, his influence massive. Pop faced 170 different NBA coaches and watched 303 coaching changes happen while he remained at the helm in San Antonio. He coached six Hall of Famers, including Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. He earned three NBA Coach of the Year awards and, in 2023, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
A Sudden, Humble Goodbye
Popovich coached just five games in the 2024–25 season after suffering a stroke on November 2. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in and led the team through the final 77 games. On Friday, Popovich officially announced that Johnson will be the full-time head coach going forward.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in his statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach.”
The move marks not just the end of a coaching reign, but a seismic cultural shift in San Antonio. Mitch Johnson, 0-0 officially as a head coach but with nearly a full season of interim experience, now takes over as the new leader of a franchise still in the early stages of a rebuild around rising superstar Victor Wembanyama.
The Popovich Legacy
Popovich didn’t just build winning teams—he built people. He was demanding, yet deeply empathetic. He rarely opened up to the media but was known by those close to him as warm, intelligent, and hilarious. His love for wine and politics were as well-known as his love for backdoor cuts and team defense.
Chris Paul, who joined the Spurs late in his career largely to play for Pop, said he was amazed by Pop’s work ethic—even in recovery. “I actually had a chance to be in there while Pop is doing rehab… It had nothing to do with basketball. It just showed who he is.”
The respect Popovich earned extends far beyond San Antonio. Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra, Jayson Tatum, Dawn Staley—coaches and players alike—have praised him not only for his basketball genius, but for his impact as a human being. He championed diversity, broke gender barriers by hiring Becky Hammon, and spoke up for social justice long before it became trendy in sports.
More Than a Coach
Popovich was a military man and an Olympic gold medalist. A coach, a teacher, a mentor, and a leader who brought pride not only to San Antonio, but to American basketball. His ability to blend competition with compassion set him apart.
And now, after nearly three decades, he passes the torch. But make no mistake—his fingerprints will remain all over the Spurs organization. As team president, he’ll still shape the future. And Mitch Johnson, Wembanyama, and the next generation will continue to walk the path he built.
Thank You, Coach Pop
Gregg Popovich’s career is one of the greatest in basketball history. He redefined what it means to lead, win, and inspire. As he steps away from the bench, basketball fans around the world tip their hats to a legend whose legacy will echo through the game forever.
