Gregg Popovich is moving onto a new role with the San Antonio Spurs after nearly 30 years as head coach.
Twenty-nine years later, Gregg Popovich’s reign as San Antonio Spurs head coach has ended.
“I’m no longer coach. I’m El Jefe,” from the words of coach Popovich in Monday’s presser.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Popovich is stepping down from his tenured perch at the helm of the Spurs’ on-court affairs and will transfer to a front office role. Popovich will serve as the team’s president of basketball operations, while his former assistant Mitch Johnson has already been granted top duties as his successor.
passing of the torch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/tjmR9v1Qj2
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 5, 2025
The Spurs confirmed Popovich’s transaction in a team statement, thanking him for his years of service.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in the statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” added Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
Thus ends one of the most prosperous head coaching reigns in North American professional sports history, one that featured five championships and an NBA-record 1,422 regular season victories.
After taking over for the fired Bob Hill in the early stages of the 1996-97 season and pairing the following draft’s top pick Tim Duncan with franchise face David Robinson, Popovich guided the Spurs to 22 consecutive playoff appearances (1998-2019), tied for the longest streak in NBA history next to the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1950-71).
The Spurs Enter a New Era Post-Popovich
“I’m no longer a coach. I’m El Jefe.” – Señor Popovich https://t.co/2tKAMAVZBw pic.twitter.com/f8zR79gY1L
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 5, 2025
In addition to Duncan and Robinson, Popovich oversaw the championship heyday of several modern legends of the game, including Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker. In addition to his championships, Popovich also owns an Olympic old medal from his time at the helm of the United States men’s national basketball team, guiding the 2020 group to the top prize in Tokyo. For his efforts in the Association, Popovich is one of only three men to win the Coach of the Year award on three occasions, joining Don Nelson and Pat Riley.
Popovich, 76, took a medical leave of absence early this season after suffering a minor stroke in November. Charania’s report states that Popovich had been appearing at the Spurs facility more frequently and intended to return to his post on the sidelines but that he “came to the conclusion that he no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach.” Popovich also had a medical incident in April but has since returned home.
The Spurs’ sideline duties now turn to Johnson, who posted a 31-45 record at the helm after taking over for Popovich. Injuries derailed any hope of a playoff appearance but Johnson has a suitable foundation to work with in the forms of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, who helped the Spurs become the first team to feature back-to-back Rookie of the Year award winners since Minnesota in 2015-16 (Andrew Wiggins/Karl-Anthony Towns).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
