SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich addressed the media on Monday after organization appointed Mitch Johnson as the team’s new head coach.
In his first press conference since suffering a mild stroke in November 2024, Popovich spoke on his tenure as head coach of the Spurs for 29 seasons and his decision to step down from the role.
“That’s a lot of thank yous after 25 to 30 years,” Popovich said. “I can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring for our organization and sending me thoughts and prayers.”
“Since I’ve had this stroke, things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead.”
Watch the full speech in the video player above.
On Friday, the Spurs announced that Johnson, who served as interim coach, would become the team’s head coach — a decision that Popovich supports.
“We have to have someone in charge who is fully capable of giving their very best,” he said.
“Mitch Johnson will be the guy that forges our future, and I’ll do everything I can to help him.”
Popovich will continue his work with the Spurs organization as the team’s president of basketball operations, a new role that he embraced with a custom-made T-shirt.
“I’m no longer a coach, I’m El Jefe,” Popovich said as he revealed his shirt that read “Señor Popovich President of Basketball Ops” on the back.
The winningest coach in NBA history was joined at the podium by Spurs greats Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili in the address that welcomed a new chapter for the team.
“We won’t win every game, we’ll try to, but we will do it with class,” Popovich said.
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