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One of the NBA’s most iconic coaching careers has reached its next chapter.
On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs officially announced that Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich will step down as head coach and transition to a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Taking the reins on the sideline is Mitch Johnson, who served as acting head coach for much of the 2024–25 season.
Popovich, 76, didn’t mince words when addressing Johnson’s elevation to head coach.
“We have to have someone in charge who is fully capable of doing his best,” Popovich said. “This is what this group demands… You saw him in action last year and he was brilliant.”
Johnson, 38, stepped in after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, guiding a young Spurs roster headlined by former No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama through a turbulent, injury-marred season.
Despite missing the playoffs, San Antonio showed flashes of growth, particularly on the defensive end, with Johnson’s game management and player development earning league-wide respect.
Popovich, who has spent 29 seasons as the Spurs’ head coach, will remain embedded in the organization’s daily operations.
According to ESPN, he has been present at the facility in recent days and will continue to oversee roster-building, scouting, and long-term strategic planning.
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson (right) talks with forward Jeremy Sochan. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
For Johnson, the promotion is the culmination of a rapid rise within the Spurs' system.
A former Stanford guard and Spurs assistant since 2016, he now becomes one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA.
With Wembanyama entering his second season and a young core gaining experience, the expectations in San Antonio are shifting
Continue reading...
On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs officially announced that Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich will step down as head coach and transition to a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Taking the reins on the sideline is Mitch Johnson, who served as acting head coach for much of the 2024–25 season.
Popovich, 76, didn’t mince words when addressing Johnson’s elevation to head coach.
“We have to have someone in charge who is fully capable of doing his best,” Popovich said. “This is what this group demands… You saw him in action last year and he was brilliant.”
Johnson, 38, stepped in after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, guiding a young Spurs roster headlined by former No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama through a turbulent, injury-marred season.
Despite missing the playoffs, San Antonio showed flashes of growth, particularly on the defensive end, with Johnson’s game management and player development earning league-wide respect.
Popovich, who has spent 29 seasons as the Spurs’ head coach, will remain embedded in the organization’s daily operations.
According to ESPN, he has been present at the facility in recent days and will continue to oversee roster-building, scouting, and long-term strategic planning.
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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson (right) talks with forward Jeremy Sochan. © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
For Johnson, the promotion is the culmination of a rapid rise within the Spurs' system.
A former Stanford guard and Spurs assistant since 2016, he now becomes one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA.
With Wembanyama entering his second season and a young core gaining experience, the expectations in San Antonio are shifting
Continue reading...
