Spurs sign coach Gregg Popovich to a multi-year contract extension

The Spurs announced on Wednesday the signing of coach Gregg Popovich to a multi-year contract extension. Terms of the agreement are not yet known.

Popovich, 65, has served as San Antonio's coach since 1996, compiling a 967-443 (.686) and winning five championships. Under Popovich, a three-time Coach of the Year honoree, the Spurs have won at least 60 percent of their regular season games for 17 consecutive seasons.

It has been a widely held assumption that Popovich will step away from the bench whenever Tim Duncan decides to retire, as Popovich has indicated in the past that is his plan. Despite speculation that Duncan might choose to go out on top following San Antonio's 2014 Finals victory, the 38-year-old franchise big man elected to pick up his $10.3 million player option for the 2014-15 season.

Spurs GM R.C. Buford has worked to retain his roster's key pieces, agreeing to new contracts with both Boris Diaw ($22 million over three years) and Patty Mills ($12 million over three years) last week. San Antonio is now on track to bring back every player who logged at least 700 minutes last season, making it the early 2015 title favorite.

Although Popovich often dodged questions about his future last season, he did admit during the 2014 Finals that his fire for coaching is still burning.

"I don't feel tired," Popovich said before Game 5. "I'm tired today, but I mean in general. I'd like to continue to coach."

Popovich currently ranks No. 9 all-time in wins (967), No. 4 in winning percentage (.686), No. 3 in postseason wins (149), No. 7 in postseason winning percentage (.623), and he is tied for No. 3 with Pat Riley and John Kundla with five rings, trailing only Phil Jackson (11) and Red Auerbach (9). 

San Antonio won a league-best 62 games in 2013-14, with Popovich taking home Coach of the Year honors and Buford being named Executive of the Year for the first time during his career.