One of the best and most iconic coaches in American sports has decided to hang up his whistle. (More NBA News)
After 29 seasons at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich announced Friday that he is retiring from coaching.
바카라While my love and passion for the game remain, I바카라ve decided it바카라s time to step away as head coach,바카라 Popovich said.
Popovich will remain in his role as the team바카라s president of basketball operations.
Popovich coached just five games this season before suffering a stroke at the team facility on Nov. 2. He had previously said that he hoped to return to coaching but has since been treated for further health issues.
Mitch Johnson, a long-time assistant who took over as the interim coach in November, has been signed to a contract as Popovich바카라s full-time successor.
Popovich took over as the Spurs바카라 head coach in 1996 and went on to amass an NBA-record 1,422 wins, winning five NBA titles and shaping multiple generations of basketball along the way.
Popovich also led the United States to a gold medal in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
But his most memorable moments were on the sidelines in San Antonio.
Popovich바카라s 29-year tenure with the Spurs is the longest in NBA history with a single franchise, and he coached six Hall of Fame players in San Antonio: David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. Chris Paul, who joined the Spurs this season largely to play under Popovich, will almost certainly add to that total, as will Kawhi Leonard.
Popovich바카라s 170 post-season wins are the most by a coach with a single franchise, and only Phil Jackson (229) and Pat Riley (171) have more all-time.
Popovich바카라s tenure spanned multiple generations and several eras of basketball. At the beginning of his career, he joined the Spurs as an assistant under legendary coach Larry Brown in 1988, and his tenure lasted into Victor Wembanyama바카라s Rookie of the Year honours in 2024.
Across three decades, Popovich coached against Michael Jordan, Jayson Tatum and every star player and dynasty between.
Popovich was the Spurs바카라 general manager in 1996 when he fired Bob Hill and took over as head coach. With David Robinson playing only six games, Popovich finished his first season as head coach at 17-47.
The Spurs바카라 fortunes forever changed in 1997, however, when they won the draft lottery and the right to select Tim Duncan as the top pick.
San Antonio바카라s dynasty began by hoisting the Larry O바카라Brien Trophy in 1999, and they followed with titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
The Spurs dominated the 2000s with a precise and methodical offence coupled with a physical defence.
By the 2010s, however, the NBA had shifted toward a more open game, and Popovich adjusted.
With more freedom of movement 바카라 and an infusion of talent in Kawhi Leonard 바카라 the Spurs increased the pace and stressed ball-movement while embracing the rising 3-point shooting rates.
San Antonio reached the Finals again in 2013 but lost in seven games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, with the pain of a heart-breaking Game 6 loss providing the motivational fuel for the next season.
The Spurs shredded the Heat 4-1 the following year, and the 2014 title served as the cherry atop Popovich바카라s Hall of Fame career.
