NORTH AMERICA/AFP – Popovich, 76, a respected and admired figure in basketball who missed much of the regular season due to a mild stroke last November, will transition into a new position as president of basketball operations, the Spurs announced.
“Although my passion for the game is still strong, I’ve decided it’s the right time to step down as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement from the Spurs.
“I’m deeply thankful to the incredible players, coaches, staff, and fans who gave me the honor of leading this team. I look forward to continuing to support the organization, the community, and the city that mean so much to me,” the Hall of Fame coach added.
Popovich began his tenure with San Antonio as an assistant coach in 1988 and has dedicated 37 years to the league as both a coach and executive. With the exception of two seasons as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, the entirety of his career has been with the Spurs. Before Friday’s announcement, Popovich held the title of the longest-serving head coach in any major U.S. sports league. He also guided the United States to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
“Coach Pop’s remarkable influence on our organization, San Antonio, the Spurs, and the game of basketball is immeasurable,” said Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt in a statement. “His achievements and accolades only scratch the surface of the impact he has had on countless individuals.
“He is truly unique as a person, leader, and coach. Our family, along with fans worldwide, are incredibly grateful for his exceptional 29 years as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
Rumors about Popovich’s future as the Spurs head coach have circulated since he suffered a mild stroke in November, which prevented him from coaching for much of the season. The uncertainty grew last month when reports indicated he was hospitalized following a “medical incident” at a restaurant, though it was described as a non-life-threatening injury or illness.
“Generational Leader”
In February, Popovich had already declared that he would not be involved in the rest of the Spurs’ season, stating his focus would be on his health “with the hope of returning to coaching in the future.”
Over a coaching career that spanned five decades, Popovich built a reputation as one of the brightest minds in basketball, known for his exceptional leadership, blending care for his players with the forthrightness to speak his mind.
“Players felt that Pop cared about them as individuals before he cared about them as basketball players,” former Spurs player Terry Porter told The Athletic. “For Pop, it was never just about basketball. He values family—your kids, your wife—and that fosters trust and commitment.”
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who served as one of Popovich’s assistants on the Tokyo gold medal-winning Olympic team, has referred to the Spurs coach as a “generational leader.”
Popovich was also known for his outspoken criticisms of politics and social issues, frequently condemning U.S. lawmakers for their inability to implement stricter gun control laws following mass shootings. He has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, calling the U.S. President a “pathetic, small, and damaged man” just before last year’s election.
Popovich typically shared his opinions without hesitation.
“I’m an individual living in this country,” he said in a 2017 interview. “I have the right to express my thoughts… if it helps someone consider a different perspective, that’s great. But the conversation needs to happen.”
