Legendary Gregg Popovich decided to end his extraordinary 29-year coaching career with the San Antonio Mast.
Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November and has since recovered from a long road to recovery. On February 27, he met with the Spurs players to inform them that they would not return to coach this season. On April 15, he encountered another health fear at a San Antonio restaurant and was hospitalized.
Popovich, 76, ended his coaching career with 1,422 regular season wins and five championships. He has won the Coach of the Year Award three times, the most in league history.
He also won the third largest professional playoff victory.
“Although my love and passion for the game remains, I decided it was time to leave as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement. “I am forever grateful to the amazing players, coaches, staff and fans who have allowed me to be the head coach of the Spurs and are excited to continue to support organizations, communities and cities that have made sense to me.”
This is not all sad news, though, as Popovich confirmed that he will play the role of the team president moving forward. In a sense, this is the entire circle of moments when he was the general manager of the team in 1994-96.
Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra, who has 16 years in the helm, is now the longest-serving head coach. Followed by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who played for Popovich.
Coaches' popular transition to president of Spurs basketball operations pic.twitter.com/Q8HWQDTB53
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 2, 2025
Mitch Johnson takes over the coaching role completely
Mitch Johnson, who has been interim head coach since Popovich resigned, now takes over the position permanently.
The Spurs won 31-45 under Johnson. Victor Wembanyama and De'aaron Fox were excluded from this record in the second third of the season.
Johnson has played in Stanford and the G League and abroad. He joined the Spurs in 2016 as an assistant coach for its G League branch, Austin Spurs.
“I am really grateful and honored to have this incredible opportunity,” Johnson said in a team statement. “I thank Coach Pop, (CEO) RC [Buford](General Manager) Brian [Wright] and [managing partner Peter J. Holt] Trust me to continue our culture and I promise to take this responsibility and make me have to make Spurs fans proud. ”
Unfortunately, Popovich was unable to get out of his conditions, but health obviously took precedence over everything.
29 seasons coach Guangcai pic.twitter.com/tgzy31hc7f
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 2, 2025
