Inside The Spurs

NBA Breaks Silence on Major Gregg Popovich News

The San Antonio Spurs will now move forward without Gregg Popovich on the sidelines
Matt Guzman|
Oct 24, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center.
Oct 24, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are set to enter a new era behind Mitch Johnson, who was officially named the franchise's 19th head coach Friday afternoon in place of 29-year veteran Gregg Popovich.

Popovich announced his retirement from coaching after suffering a mild stroke on Nov. 2, 2024. He spent all of last season recovering, but ultimately decided to step away from the sidelines in favor of a full-time role as the team's president of basketball operations.

After the news broke, NBA commissioner Adam Silver made a statement on Popovich's departure.

"Gregg Popovich's sustained success as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs is incomparable," he said. "In addition to his many accolades, including five NBA championships, the most wins in league history and an Olympic gold medal, Coach Pop has developed generations of players and coaches and been a driving force behind the global growth of basketball."

Popovich finishes his career as the Spurs' winningest coach and boasts five NBA titles along with two Olympic gold medals during his time as coach of Team USA basketball. He also leaves a lasting impact on several coaches and players who have known him throughout his three-decade career.

"There are few people in the basketball community as beloved and revered as Coach Pop," Silver said. "We thank him for his extraordinary leadership and commitment to our sport and wish him well as he embarks on his new role with the Spurs organization."

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI. In the world of professional sports, he’s a firm believer that athletes are people, too. He aims to spotlight the true, behind-the-scenes character of players and teams through strong narrative writing and sharp, hooking ledes.

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