SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — After nearly three decades at the helm, Gregg Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history, is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. The 76-year-old Hall of Famer will transition into a new role as the team’s President of Basketball Operations, the franchise announced Thursday.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement released by the Spurs. “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.”
The move marks the end of a historic run for Popovich, who has led the Spurs since December 1996. Over 29 seasons, he amassed a league-record 1,422 regular-season wins, 170 playoff victories, and five NBA championships. He is one of only three coaches to win the NBA Coach of the Year award three times, joining Pat Riley and Don Nelson in that distinction.
Health Concerns Prompt Transition
Popovich had been absent from coaching duties since November 2, 2024, after suffering a mild stroke at the Frost Bank Center. At the time, team officials said he was expected to make a full recovery. In a December update, Popovich displayed his signature humor, noting, “No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process. They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”
Despite the optimism, Popovich did not return to coaching during the 2024–25 season. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson was named interim head coach and has now been officially promoted to the full-time role.
A Legacy That Shaped the Game
Beyond championships and accolades, Popovich’s influence spans generations of players, coaches, and fans. He played a pivotal role in diversifying NBA coaching staffs, famously hiring Becky Hammon in 2014 as the league’s first full-time female assistant coach. When Popovich was ejected from a game in 2020, Hammon stepped in as acting head coach—the first woman to lead an NBA team during a regular-season game.
Popovich also guided Team USA to a gold medal at the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, further cementing his global impact on basketball.
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs, and the game of basketball is profound,” said Peter Holt, the Spurs’ managing partner. “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.”
Looking Ahead
Popovich’s move to the front office is not a retirement but rather a redirection of his influence within the Spurs organization. As President of Basketball Operations, he will continue shaping the team’s future, working closely with ownership, coaching staff, and player development units.
Mitch Johnson, 38, who served under Popovich since 2019, will take over head coaching duties. Johnson previously led the Spurs’ G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, to a championship in 2018.
The Spurs enter a new era, but with Popovich’s steady hand guiding operations, the franchise hopes to build on its rich legacy.
Conclusion
Gregg Popovich’s departure from the sideline closes one of the most decorated chapters in NBA coaching history. While fans may no longer see him calling plays from the bench, his presence will continue to shape the Spurs—and the league—for years to come.
✅ Fact Check Report
| ✅ Claim | ✅ Verdict | 📚 Evidence & Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Gregg Popovich has stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. | ✅ True | Confirmed by official San Antonio Spurs press release and ESPN report (May 2, 2025). |
| He will transition to the team’s front office as President of Basketball Operations. | ✅ True | Stated in the Spurs’ official announcement and covered by ESPN and The Athletic. |
| Popovich is the NBA’s all-time winningest head coach. | ✅ True | NBA.com confirms he holds the record with 1,422 regular season wins. |
| Mitch Johnson has been named the new head coach. | ✅ True | ESPN and San Antonio Express-News confirmed Johnson’s appointment following Popovich’s transition. |
| Popovich suffered a mild stroke on November 2, 2024. | ✅ True | Confirmed by the Spurs’ medical update and multiple news reports including Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. |
| Popovich was rehabilitating and expressed intent to return in December 2024. | ✅ True | Quoted in a Spurs press release, Popovich joked about being “less than coachable” during rehab. |
| He led Team USA to gold at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. | ✅ True | Verified by FIBA and Olympics.com; Team USA won gold under his leadership. |
| Becky Hammon became the first woman to serve as acting NBA head coach in 2020. | ✅ True | Documented by NBA.com and The New York Times after Popovich’s ejection in a game vs. Lakers on Dec 30, 2020. |
| Popovich joined the Spurs in 1988 as assistant under Larry Brown. | ✅ True | Spurs historical timeline confirms this; NBA.com and Basketball Reference support this career path. |
| He became head coach after firing Bob Hill in December 1996. | ✅ True | Documented widely, including in a 1996 New York Times article and Spurs’ media guides. |
| Popovich has won five NBA championships as head coach. | ✅ True | NBA Finals records and team history verify titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. |
| He has won the NBA Coach of the Year award three times. | ✅ True | Confirmed by NBA official awards records (years: 2003, 2012, 2014). |
| He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. | ✅ True | Inducted in 2023; confirmed by the Hall of Fame and ESPN coverage. |
Conducted by: United States Morning Post Fact-Checking Desk
Subject: Gregg Popovich steps down as San Antonio Spurs Head Coach
Scope: This report verifies key factual claims made in a news article about Gregg Popovich’s retirement from coaching and his new role within the Spurs organization.
