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On Friday, the NBA world was hit with a shocking twist to one of the great franchise legacies in all of American sports, when word came down that coach Gregg Popovich is officially leaving his post on the sidelines for the San Antonio Spurs.
Popovich, 76, suffered a stroke back in November and has been away from the team since. He will retire from the Spurs bench with a record of 1,422-869, having amassed five NBA championships.
It was believed that Popovich would return to the bench for at least one more season, especially with the Spurs appearing ready to begin contending in the Western Conference after missing the playoffs for the last six seasons.
But, in a statement, Popovich said: "While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach. 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."
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Popovich will remain as the team's president, but the big question now becomes, who will succeed him on the bench?
The team wasted little time in answering the question: It will be Mitch Johnson.
As ESPN's Shams Charania wrote on Twitter/X: "Breaking: The San Antonio Spurs are hiring assistant Mitch Johnson as the franchise's next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Johnson has been an assistant in Spurs program for a decade, took over as interim coach in November – and now earns job as Gregg Popovich's successor."
Continue reading...
Popovich, 76, suffered a stroke back in November and has been away from the team since. He will retire from the Spurs bench with a record of 1,422-869, having amassed five NBA championships.
It was believed that Popovich would return to the bench for at least one more season, especially with the Spurs appearing ready to begin contending in the Western Conference after missing the playoffs for the last six seasons.
But, in a statement, Popovich said: "While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach. 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."
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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Popovich will remain as the team's president, but the big question now becomes, who will succeed him on the bench?
The team wasted little time in answering the question: It will be Mitch Johnson.
As ESPN's Shams Charania wrote on Twitter/X: "Breaking: The San Antonio Spurs are hiring assistant Mitch Johnson as the franchise's next head coach, sources tell ESPN. Johnson has been an assistant in Spurs program for a decade, took over as interim coach in November – and now earns job as Gregg Popovich's successor."
Continue reading...
