Basketball Hall of Famer and five-time NBA champion Gregg Popovich will step down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and transition to a full-time role as team president, the team confirmed on Friday (May 2).
"While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," Popovich said in a statement shared by the team. "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, 76, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, has been on a leave of absence from coaching since suffering what was described as a "mild stroke" in November.
ESPN's Shams Charania initially reported Popovich's decision on Friday.
"BREAKING: Gregg Popovich will no longer be Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs and is transitioning full-time to Team President, sources told ESPN. The iconic Popovich is a Basketball Hall of Famer, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, and led the Spurs to five championships," Charania wrote on his X account. "This is the end of an era as Popovich, 76, has served as Spurs coach since 1996. And a start of another era: Popovich has already been involved throughout the Spurs offseason in President of Basketball role and will continue to be a vital member of their operations, sources said."
Assistant Mitch Johnson was promoted to interim head coach and led the team to a 32-45 record in Popovich's absence, despite losing franchise center Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, in February.