In a significant development for the NBA, Gregg Popovich announced on Friday the conclusion of his remarkable 29-year tenure as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. As the league's all-time leader in coaching wins, Popovich will transition into a new role as the team's president of basketball operations, marking a pivotal shift in the franchise's leadership structure. With this transition, Mitch Johnson has been promoted to the position of full-time head coach, following his interim role during the 2024-25 season.
The decision for Popovich to step down comes after he faced significant health challenges, which forced him to miss a majority of the recent season. Reports from ESPN's Shams Charania indicate that Popovich recognized the demanding nature of being an NBA head coach was no longer sustainable for him. His health issues came to light in mid-November when the Spurs announced that Popovich had suffered a mild stroke on November 2, just hours before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At that time, Spurs general manager Brian Wright provided an update, stating that Popovich was recovering well and had already started a rehabilitation program. Nonetheless, there was no set timeline for his return. On February 27, Popovich released a statement confirming that he would miss the remainder of the season to prioritize his health, expressing hope for a potential return to coaching in the future.
Stepping into the head coaching role is Mitch Johnson, who has been an assistant on Popovich's staff since 2019. During his interim period as head coach, Johnson led the Spurs to a record of 32-45 across 77 games. Although he lacks prior head-coaching experience, Johnson's journey began in 2015-16 when he was appointed as an assistant at the University of Portland. The Spurs later brought him on board as an assistant for their G League affiliate beginning in the 2016-17 season.
Gregg Popovich's legacy as one of the most successful head coaches in NBA history is firmly established. With a career total of 1,422 wins, he holds the record for the most wins ever, alongside an impressive winning percentage of .621, which ranks fourth among coaches with over 1,000 games of experience. Popovich's journey with the Spurs began as an assistant under Larry Brown prior to the 1988-89 season. After four seasons, he briefly served as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors before returning to San Antonio in 1994 as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations.
Popovich took over as head coach in the early part of the 1996-97 season, following the firing of Bob Hill after a dismal 3-15 start. Under his leadership, the Spurs initiated a remarkable 22-year streak of consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances, a record tied for the longest in NBA history alongside the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers from 1950 to 1971.
As the Spurs embark on this new chapter without Popovich as their head coach, the franchise looks to build on his storied legacy while adapting to the evolving landscape of the NBA. The promotion of Mitch Johnson signifies a commitment to continuity within the organization, as they aim to navigate the challenges ahead and maintain a competitive edge in the league.
