Spurs' longtime coach Gregg Popovich chooses to relinquish his position.
Revised Article:
Gregg Popovich stepped down as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and moved into a new role as president of basketball operations, the team announced on a Friday.
Popovich, a 76-year-old veteran coach, had been dealing with health issues after suffering a stroke in November. He hasn't been on the sidelines since Halloween of last year.
In a statement, Popovich shared, "Though my ardor for the ballgame persists, I've deemed it the right time to relinquish the helm as the coach."
He added, "I'm deeply appreciative of the incredible athletes, coaches, staff, and fans who allowed me to lead the Spurs as their head coach. I'm thrilled about the prospect of continuing to nurture this amazing organization, community, and city that mean the world to me."
Popovich's contributions to the league are monumental, with the most regular season wins in history at 1,422, and five NBA championships. He shares the third place for most championships won with Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach, with Jackson leading the pack with 11 and Auerbach with 9[1]. Popovich was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Spurs owner Peter J. Holt praised Popovich's impact on the team and community, describing it as "extraordinary" and "profound."
"His awards and accolades can't sufficiently capture the mark he's left on countless individuals. He's a unique individual, leader, and coach, truly one-of-a-kind," Holt stated. "Our entire family, alongside fans from around the globe, are immensely grateful for his extraordinary 29-year reign as the Spurs' head coach."
Popovich has been at the helm of the Spurs since 1996, racking up an impressive 170 playoff victories for the franchise. He also led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics[2].
Mitch Johnson, who has been with the Spurs organization since 2016, will take over as the permanent head coach, following Popovich's transition[3]. Johnson initially joined as an assistant coach for the Austin G League team and has been serving as the acting head coach since Popovich's health issues in November. The official announcement of his appointment came in recent weeks after Popovich made the decision to step down due to health concerns and the demanding nature of the role. Johnson's tenure as the head coach is expected to unfold as Popovich continues his new role within the organization.
[1] Source: ESPN (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36232713/mitch-johnson-reportedly-named-next-san-antonio-spurs-head-coach-gregg-popovich-transition-president-basketball-operations)
[2] Source: CBS Sports (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mitch-johnson-expected-to-be-named-next-san-antonio-spurs-head-coach-after-gregg-popovich-steps-away/)
[3] Source: San Antonio Express-News (https://www.expressnews.com/spurs/article/Gregg-Popovich-expected-to-step-down-as-Spurs-17454554.php)
In his new role as president of basketball operations, Gregg Popovich will no longer lead the San Antonio Spurs on the court, but his legacy in basketball, particularly in the NBA, remains significant, with numerous regular season wins and five NBA championships to his name. Mitch Johnson, previously an assistant coach for the Austin G League team and the acting head coach since Popovich's health issues, has been appointed as the permanent head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, following Popovich's transition.
