Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili (left) and Tim Duncan (right) help former Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich take of his jacket to unveil a T-shirt showing his new position with the franchise. Credit: X / San Antonio Spurs

A frail-looking Gregg Popovich officially handed the San Antonio Spurs’ coaching reins to Mitch Johnson during an emotional press conference Monday at the team’s North Side training facility.

Popovich, who was helped out of his chair and accompanied to the stage by Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, thanked team members and fans for their continued support as he recovers from a stroke that sidelined him last November.

“Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead,” said Popovich, a Hall of Fame coach who led the Spurs to five NBA titles. “So, it’s time to make this change.”

Spurs Sports & Entertainment announced late last week that Johnson, the assistant who stepped in during Pop’s absence, would take over the head coaching job next season. The revelation followed March headlines that the coach, still recovering from his stroke, fainted while dining at a San Antonio steakhouse.

“[Something] that is a very clear contributor to our culture is the belief of being rooted in a proud legacy but not beholden to it,” SS&E Chairman Peter J. Holt said during Monday’s press event. “Today represents an exciting next chapter in our journey and our culture.”

Popovich said he’s been participating in rehab at the Spurs’ training center, The Rock at La Cantera, since he suffered the stroke.

“Timmy and Manu, of course, have been here at all of my workouts at The Rock,” Popovich said. “They say it’s because they love me and want to be there in case I fall. I call it payback.”

Popovich then removed his jacket, unveiling a black T-shirt with the words “El Jefe” on the front, which he said he plans to wear as he begins his new role with the franchise.

Coach Johnson, who led the Spurs to a 32-45 record under his command, thanked Holt and Popovich for entrusting him to carry on the team’s traditions and told reporters he’s optimistic about the future.

“I feel like we have a hold on the direction we’re heading into, and we want to 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.”

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...