‘Time to step away’ – NBA’s all-time winningest coach shares emotional statement as he confirms new role
Gregg Popovich released an emotional statement as he announced his decision to step away as San Antonio Spurs coach. The 76-year-old will leave the bench as the NBA‘s all-time winningest head coach, after leading the Spurs to five championships. Popovich steps away from San Antonio after 29 years as head coachGetty Popovich will remain with the club and transition to San Antonio’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,” he said in a statement released by the team on Friday. “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.” After joining the Spurs in the summer of 1988, as an assistant coach on Larry Brown’s staff, Popovich has enjoyed a 37-year career in the NBA as a coach and executive. He spent two years, from 1992-94, as an assistant coach for Don Nelson with the Golden State Warriors. Popovich’s other 35 NBA seasons have all been in San Antonio. In 29 campaigns as the Spurs head coach, he amassed 1,422 regular season wins, which is the most in NBA history. He left the team on November 2 after suffering a stroke at the Frost Bank Center, and had been away since. In February, the Spurs announced he would not return this season. “Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt said of Popovich’s decision to step away. Popovich, who won five NBA titles, is one of basketball’s most legendary figuresGetty “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.” Popovich had agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team in 2023, which would have kept him on the sidelines through the 2027-28 season. His career coaching record was 1,388-824 before he suffered the stroke. No coach had been with one team for more games than Popovich, who also guided Team USA Basketball to an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, alongside his five NBA titles. Popovich steps down after 29 seasons as San Antonio’s head coachGetty ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Spurs have lined up assistant Mitch Johnson as the franchise’s next head coach. Johnson has been an assistant in San Antonio’s program for a decade, and took over as interim coach in November after Popovich’s stroke. He has now earned the job as the full-time successor.
Gregg Popovich released an emotional statement as he announced his decision to step away as San Antonio Spurs coach.
The 76-year-old will leave the bench as the NBA‘s all-time winningest head coach, after leading the Spurs to five championships.
Popovich will remain with the club and transition to San Antonio’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,” he said in a statement released by the team on Friday.
“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.”
After joining the Spurs in the summer of 1988, as an assistant coach on Larry Brown’s staff, Popovich has enjoyed a 37-year career in the NBA as a coach and executive.
He spent two years, from 1992-94, as an assistant coach for Don Nelson with the Golden State Warriors.
Popovich’s other 35 NBA seasons have all been in San Antonio.
In 29 campaigns as the Spurs head coach, he amassed 1,422 regular season wins, which is the most in NBA history.
He left the team on November 2 after suffering a stroke at the Frost Bank Center, and had been away since.
In February, the Spurs announced he would not return this season.
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt said of Popovich’s decision to step away.
“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.”
Popovich had agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team in 2023, which would have kept him on the sidelines through the 2027-28 season.
His career coaching record was 1,388-824 before he suffered the stroke.
No coach had been with one team for more games than Popovich, who also guided Team USA Basketball to an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, alongside his five NBA titles.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Spurs have lined up assistant Mitch Johnson as the franchise’s next head coach.
Johnson has been an assistant in San Antonio’s program for a decade, and took over as interim coach in November after Popovich’s stroke.
He has now earned the job as the full-time successor.
