San Antonio Spurs' Head Coach Gregg Popovich Announces Resignation, Affecting Victor Wembanyama's Squad.
New Article:
Are you ready to bid adieu to a basketball titan? Gregg Popovich, the revered coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is calling it a day after nearly thirty years of service. With a record-breaking 1,422 regular-season wins under his belt, his departure marks the end of an era in the NBA.
Hear from the Man Himself
"My love for this sport remains unwavering, but I've decided it's time for a shift," Popovich, now 76, shared in a heartfelt message. He's moving from his role as head coach to president of basketball operations, with Mitch Johnson taking up the coaching reins.
Popovich's Health Takes Priority
This move comes after a "mild" stroke in November 2024, which prompted his temporary departure from the court to focus on recovery. He returned early in the season, but in late February, he announced he wouldn't be back before the season's end, prioritizing his health.
His Future Up in the Air
The announcement took NBA experts by surprise, especially given his contract extension by five years in July 2023, following the draft of Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama, the young French sensation, paid tribute to Popovich, thanking him for his guidance and leadership.
A Glance at Popovich's Accomplishments
Popovich's impact on the Spurs is undeniable. As "Coach Pop," affectionately referred to by Texas fans, he's a legend in American sports. With five NBA championship titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) and a slew of coaching awards, he's truly one-of-a-kind.
Peter J. Holt, the general manager and owner of the franchise, praised Popovich, noting his influence on countless people and unique qualities as a person, leader, and coach. Tony Parker, who played under Popovich and won four titles with the Spurs, also paid tribute with emotional social media posts.
Gregg Popovich's Lasting Legacy
His coaching tree is vast, producing numerous head coaches, including Mike Budenholzer (two-time Coach of the Year) and Team Africa coach in 2015. He also coached Team USA to Olympic gold (2021, though not mentioned in sources). Despite his health challenges, he remains passionate about operations and resilience.
Popovich's emphasis on "pounding the rock," or focusing on incremental progress, has become a league-wide philosophy, cementing his legacy as one of basketball's greatest minds. This noteworthy coach is leaving behind a lasting impact, not just on basketball but on an entire generation of players and coaches.
Note: The data provided below further enriches the article by detailing Popovich's career achievements and impact on the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA as a whole:
Career Achievements and Accolades
Popovich claimed five NBA titles, three Coach of the Year awards (2003, 2012, 2014), and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023. He set records as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, with 1,422 regular-season wins, and 1,413 combined victories by 2019. Interestingly, he was the first coach to win 1,000 games with one franchise.
Impact on the San Antonio Spurs
Popovich transformed the Spurs into a perennial contender by emphasizing teamwork, player development, and adaptability. He developed Hall of Famers like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Manu Ginóbili, while cultivating stars like Kawhi Leonard and 2024 Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. Under his leadership, the Spurs achieved a franchise-record 67 wins in 2015–16 and made the playoffs every year from 1998 to 2019.
Despite stepping down as coach, Popovich left an indelible mark on the Spurs, transitioning to the role of president of basketball operations in May 2025.
NBA-Wide Influence
Popovich's coaching tree includes numerous head coaches, and he coached Team Africa and led Team USA to Olympic gold (2021, not mentioned in sources). Despite health challenges, such as a 2024 stroke, he remained active in operations and emphasized resilience and leadership.
Popovich’s "pound the rock" philosophy became a league-wide philosophy, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's greatest minds. His emphasis on incremental progress and development impacted countless players and coaches within the NBA.
- Gregg Popovich's decision to step down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, effective at the end of the 2022-2023 NBA season, was confirmed in May 2025, after a temporary departure in 2024 following a mild stroke.
- Even though Popovich's coaching tenure with the San Antonio Spurs will officially conclude in 2023, he will continue to prioritize basketball within his new role as president of basketball operations.
- Popovich's acclaimed basketball career was marked by numerous achievements, such as winning five NBA championships, earning three Coach of the Year awards, and being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2023, and setting records for being the NBA’s all-time winningest coach with 1,422 regular-season wins and 1,413 combined victories by 2019.
- Popovich's lasting impact on the NBA, beyond his time with the San Antonio Spurs, will be seen in his extensive coaching tree, producing numerous head coaches, and his influence on the "pound the rock" philosophy that has become a league-wide standard for incremental progress and development.
