Gregg Popovich Steps Down as Spurs Head Coach After 29 Seasons, Transitions to Front Office Role
- Victor Nwoko
- May 2
- 2 min read
Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time winningest head coach, has officially stepped down from his role as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after a legendary 29-season tenure. The 76-year-old basketball icon will remain with the organization as the team’s president of basketball operations.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” said Popovich in a statement. “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.”
Popovich's decision marks the end of a Hall of Fame-caliber coaching career. Known for his leadership, player development, and consistent excellence, Popovich led the Spurs to five NBA championships and mentored countless NBA and NCAA coaches and players. During the recent NCAA Final Four, Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson credited Popovich for playing a crucial role in his coaching development.
Popovich had been absent from the bench since suffering a mild stroke on November 2 at the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs later confirmed that he was undergoing rehabilitation and expected to fully recover. In December, Popovich expressed optimism about returning to the sidelines, joking that his rehabilitation team had discovered he was “less than coachable.”
In Popovich’s absence, Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson was promoted to interim head coach, leading the team to a 22–27 record.
Popovich originally joined the Spurs organization in 1988 as an assistant to Larry Brown and became head coach on December 10, 1996. Over his 37 years in the NBA—35 of which were with the Spurs—Popovich achieved a record 1,422 regular season wins, along with 170 postseason victories. He is one of only three coaches in league history to win the NBA Coach of the Year award three times, alongside Don Nelson and Pat Riley.
In addition to his NBA success, Popovich led the USA men’s national basketball team to a gold medal at the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021.
Spurs managing partner Peter Holt praised Popovich’s unmatched contributions, stating, “Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs, and the game of basketball is profound. 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. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
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