Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching victories, is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 seasons and will move into a new role as the franchise’s president of basketball operations.
The Spurs confirmed the move Friday. ESPN was first to report the news, with NBA insider Shams Charania also reporting that assistant coach Mitch Johnson will be promoted to replace Popovich 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, 76, said in a statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them, and I’m excited to continue supporting the organization and community that mean so much to me.”
Popovich has been with the Spurs since 1988 and took over as head coach in 1996. In that time, he led the team to five NBA championships, three Coach of the Year awards and 1,422 regular-season wins — the most in league history. He also guided the U.S. men’s national team to gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
His final season was interrupted by a mild stroke in November, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Johnson stepped in as interim coach and led the team to a 32-45 finish. The Spurs missed the playoffs but showed flashes of growth under Johnson, despite losing All-Star center Victor Wembanyama to a blood clot issue for much of the second half of the season.
Johnson, 38, faced the daunting task of filling in for Popovich midseason, but his steady leadership earned praise within the organization and ultimately led to his promotion.
“It’s been a heck of an experience,” Johnson said in his end-of-season media availability. “There’s no way to predict any season in this league. Too long, too much happens, too many circumstances, but for me, the experiences have been one-of-one for a ton of reasons, and that will stay with me forever.”
Spurs managing partner Peter Holt said Popovich’s impact on the franchise and the city is difficult to quantify.
“Coach Pop’s influence goes far beyond wins and championships,” Holt said. “He’s a leader, a mentor, and one of the finest people I’ve ever known. We’re all grateful for his extraordinary 29-year run as head coach.”
Popovich will remain closely involved in the team’s future as he shifts into the front office, while Johnson begins a new chapter as only the second head coach for San Antonio since 1996.
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