San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich stepping down as head coach

Editors note: This article has been updated to include comments from Gregg Popovich and Spurs managing partner Peter Holt.

Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich is stepping down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and will transition next season into a full-time role as the franchise’s president of basketball operations, ESPN first reported Thursday.

Word of Pop’s coaching retirement comes months after he suffered a mild stroke that forced him to watch the current season from the sidelines. He’s coached the Silver and Black since the 1996-1997 season and led the team to five NBA Championships and 22 playoff appearances.

“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,” Popovich said in a statement.

The Spurs named Mitch Johnson as interim head coach in November after the 76-year-old Popovich’s stroke, which happened before a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Pop experienced another health scare earlier this month after he reportedly fainted while having dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

“His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people,” Spurs managing partner Peter Holt said in a statement. “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 is also the NBA’s “winningest” coach, having racked up 1,422 regular season victories.

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