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Gregg Popovich is transferring onto a brand new function with the San Antonio Spurs after practically 30 years as head coach.
Twenty-nine years later, Gregg Popovich’s reign as San Antonio Spurs head coach has ended.
“I am now not coach. I am El Jefe,” from the phrases of coach Popovich in Monday’s presser.
Per Shams Charania of ESPN, Popovich is stepping down from his tenured perch on the helm of the Spurs’ on-court affairs and can switch to a entrance workplace function. Popovich will function the workforce’s president of basketball operations, whereas his former assistant Mitch Johnson has already been granted prime duties as his successor.
passing of the torch 🤝 pic.twitter.com/tjmR9v1Qj2
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) Might 5, 2025
The Spurs confirmed Popovich’s transaction in a workforce assertion, thanking him for his years of service.
“Whereas my love and fervour for the sport stay, I’ve determined it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich mentioned within the assertion. “I’m endlessly grateful to the fantastic gamers, coaches, employees and followers who allowed me to serve them because the Spurs head coach and am excited for the chance to proceed to assist the group, group and metropolis which can be so significant to me.”
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impression on our household, San Antonio, the Spurs and the sport of basketball is profound,” added Spurs managing associate Peter J. Holt. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impression he has had on so many individuals. He’s really one-of-one as an individual, chief and coach. Our complete household, alongside followers from throughout the globe, are grateful for his exceptional 29-year run as the top coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
Thus ends one of the crucial affluent head teaching reigns in North American skilled sports activities historical past, one which featured 5 championships and an NBA-record 1,422 common season victories.
After taking on for the fired Bob Hill within the early levels of the 1996-97 season and pairing the next draft’s prime decide 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 historical past subsequent to the Syracuse Nationals/Philadelphia 76ers (1950-71).
The Spurs Enter a New Period Publish-Popovich
“I am now not a coach. I am El Jefe.” – Señor Popovich https://t.co/2tKAMAVZBw pic.twitter.com/f8zR79gY1L
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) Might 5, 2025
Along with Duncan and Robinson, Popovich oversaw the championship heyday of a number of trendy legends of the sport, together with Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, and Tony Parker. Along with his championships, Popovich additionally owns an Olympic outdated medal from his time on the helm of america males’s nationwide basketball workforce, guiding the 2020 group to the highest prize in Tokyo. For his efforts within the Affiliation, Popovich is one among solely three males to win the Coach of the Yr award on three events, becoming a member of Don Nelson and Pat Riley.
Popovich, 76, took a medical go away of absence early this season after struggling a minor stroke in November. Charania’s report states that Popovich had been showing on the Spurs facility extra often and meant to return to his publish on the sidelines however that he “got here to the conclusion that he now not may transfer ahead with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach.” Popovich additionally had a medical incident in April however has since returned dwelling.
The Spurs’ sideline duties now flip to Johnson, who posted a 31-45 file on the helm after taking on for Popovich. Accidents derailed any hope of a playoff look however Johnson has an appropriate basis to work with within the types of Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Fort, who helped the Spurs develop into the primary workforce to characteristic back-to-back Rookie of the Yr award winners since Minnesota in 2015-16 (Andrew Wiggins/Karl-Anthony Cities).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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