In a monumental shift for the San Antonio Spurs, Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich is stepping down as head coach to focus exclusively on his role as president of basketball operations, ESPN reports. The 76-year-old legend, who suffered a mild stroke on November 2, 2024, has been a cornerstone of the Spurs since joining their front office in 1994 and taking the coaching reins in 1996.
Popovich, the NBA’s all-time leader in regular-season wins with 1,422, guided San Antonio to five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) and earned three Coach of the Year awards, tying the league record. His 22 consecutive playoff appearances from 1998 to 2019, including 18 straight 50-win seasons, cemented his legacy alongside Spurs icons like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard.
Following his stroke, assistant coach Mitch Johnson led the Spurs to a 31-45 record this season. Popovich, who signed a five-year contract extension in 2023, has been active in the team’s offseason planning and remains a vital part of daily operations. However, he concluded that the demanding grind of NBA coaching was no longer feasible, despite steady health progress.
Popovich’s departure from the sideline marks the end of an era. He ranks third in career playoff wins and joins an elite group of coaches with five or more titles, including Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach. He also led Team USA to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. With Popovich stepping aside, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, who faced him in the 2013 and 2014 NBA Finals, becomes the league’s longest-tenured active head coach.
