SAN ANTONIO — It was easy to see Monday morning that Gregg Popovich, despite ongoing effects of a stroke he suffered in November, remains every bit the same “Coach Pop” who won more games than any coach in NBA history — 1,592.
The 76-year-old can still laugh at himself. Those who know the San Antonio Spurs’ legendary coach and executive best understand how important that is to a man who loves a joke, often at his own expense.
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Popovich’s appearance at a news conference at which the Spurs announced Mitch Johnson would be Popovich’s successor was a surprise to most. After opening remarks from Peter John Holt, the team’s managing partner, Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili escorted Popovich to the podium to address the public for the first time since the stroke. A few moments into the event, Popovich expanded on his new role.
“I’m no longer a coach,” Popovich said. “Mitch Johnson will be the guy that forges (Spurs players’) futures and I’ll do everything I can to help him and help them, and I’ll have a new job and I want to make them understand what the new job is.”
At that point, Popovich took a step back from the podium and Duncan helped him take off a Spurs warmup jacket he had been wearing so he could reveal a black T-shirt emblazoned with “El Jefe” on the front and “Señor Popovich, President of Basketball Ops” on the back.
The room laughed out loud, as did Popovich.
̶p̶r̶e̶s̶i̶d̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶b̶a̶s̶k̶e̶t̶b̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶o̶p̶e̶r̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶s̶ El Jefe 🫡 pic.twitter.com/VxDnCLoBsF
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 5, 2025
This was many people’s first extended look at Popovich since his stroke. His gait was steady but slow; his speaking voice firm and controlled.
“Things are getting better by the day,” Popovich said of his health, “but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead, and so it’s time to make this change.”
Popovich lauded the job Johnson had done after taking over just six games into the season.
“We saw him in action, and he was brilliant,” Popovich said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled for him.”
His assessment of Johnson’s work, under conditions unprecedented in NBA history, clearly had made it easier for Popovich to transition to new responsibilities.
Additionally, the new job is really not new at all: It actually brings him full circle with the club. In 1994, then-new Spurs CEO Robert McDermott needed someone to run the team’s basketball operations, and he made then-Warriors assistant coach Popovich his general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations. Popovich was also president of basketball operations throughout his 29 years as head coach, beginning in 1996.
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Duncan and Ginobili were at Popovich’s side throughout Monday’s event. Both former Spurs have been with their coach and dear friend during every one of his rehabilitation workouts at the team’s practice facility in the months that followed his release from the hospital.
“They say it’s because they love me and they want to be there in case I fall, or they’re going to catch me and that sort of thing,” Popovich said. “I call it payback.
“They give the rehab people new ideas of things to do to me. So you’re not fooling anybody, especially you,” Popovich said, staring at Duncan.
Then, the Hall of Fame coach turned serious in addressing the team’s fans.
“I want to thank the fans for being right next to us,” Popovich said. “With every win and every loss over these many years, we feel a close bond with you, and we know that we have a big responsibility to you here in San Antonio, and we will never forget that.
“But, thank you for the years of your support and we won’t let you down. We won’t win every game, but we’ll try to, and we’ll do it with class, whether it’s a win or a loss.”
(Photo: Eric Gay / The Associated Press)
This news was originally published on this post .
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