The San Antonio Spurs have officially turned the page. During an emotional press conference Monday, May 5, legendary head coach Gregg Popovich passed the baton to Mitch Johnson as his permanent successor on the bench.
Why is Popovich stepping aside?
In true “Pop” style, the coach showed his trademark wit during the press conference, flanked by those closest to him. The 76 year old, who suffered a mild stroke Nov. 2, 2024, looked more frail and sounded more softspoken than usual, but made official what was announced by the team Friday, May 2. He will transition to the front office as head of basketball operations.
“Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead,” Popovich said. “So, it’s time to make this change.”
Popovich gave an update on his health and rehab with fellow Hall of Famers Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan by his side.
“Timmy and Manu have been here for all of my workouts here at the Rock,” Popovich said. “They say it’s because they love me and they want to be there in case I fall and they want to catch me, that sort of thing. I call it payback. They give the rehab people new ideas for things to do to me. They’re not fooling anybody, especially you Timmy.”
Is Popovich the greatest coach of all time?
With Duncan, Ginobili and point guard Tony Parker leading the way among others, the Spurs became a dynasty. In 29 seasons with Popovich as head coach, they won five NBA championships. He is the all-time leader in regular season wins with 1,422. Those wins led to 22 straight playoff appearances and 18 straight 50-win seasons.
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Gregg Popovich is one of just five coaches to have won at least five NBA titles joining, Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Pat Riley (5). Under “Pop” the Spurs won titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
As if to make the transition official, with Ginobili and Duncan’s help, the three time NBA Coach of the Year took off his warm-up jacket to reveal a T-shirt underneath printed with his new title and the words “El Jefe, or in English, ”The Boss,” in quotes. He said he’ll help the new coaching staff as much as he can in his new role.
“I’m no longer Coach,” Popovich said to laughter. “I’m ‘El Jefe.’”
Who is Pop’s successor on the Spurs bench?
His successor Mitch Johnson, spent the past decade as a Popovich assistant, and led the Spurs to a 32-45 record in his absence. He said he’ll continue to do things the “Spurs way.”
“We have a hold on the direction we’re heading into and we wanna build upon something,” Johnson said. “This is not a restart, this is not a reboot. It’s a new chapter because it looks different, but the theme of the book isn’t changing.”
The Spurs have a great foundation to build around with all-star center Victor Wembanyama as the centerpiece and guard De’Aaron Fox, who was acquired in a Feb. 5 trade. They also have two first round picks, numbers 8 and 14 in June’s NBA draft.
