Spurs make huge announcement on Gregg Popovich’s alternative following NBA icon’s departure after well being scare
THE San Antonio Spurs have made a serious determination on the group’s new head coach following Gregg Popovich’s stepping down from the function.
The enduring Popovich suffered a well being scare final yr and can maintain a brand new full-time job with the Spurs.
The Spurs introduced that Popovich has retired from head teaching and that he would be the group’s full-time president.
The 76-year-old Popovich, who’s the winningest coach in NBA historical past, has just lately handled quite a few well being scares, together with a gentle stroke in November, which held him out for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
Mitch Johnson has been the interim coach since then, and he’ll tackle an even bigger function.
The Spurs introduced that Johnson would be the full-time head coach.
Beneath Johnson, the Spurs went 32-45.
The 38-year-old joined the franchise as an assistant in 2019.
Johnson was then promoted to a full-time assistant in 2020 as he changed Corridor of Famer and Spurs icon Tim Duncan.
He additionally served as an interim head coach for Popovich in 2021 and 2023 when Popovich was coping with an sickness.
“We’re thrilled for Mitch Johnson to be our subsequent head coach,” Spurs managing companion Peter J. Holt wrote in a group assertion.
“All through his decade within the group we’ve got seen that Mitch has the suitable values, poise and potential to steer us into the future.”
On the age of 38, Johnson would be the third-youngest coach within the league.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Spurs, he was a G League assistant for the Austin Spurs, as he helped the group win a championship in 2018.
“I’m really grateful and honored to obtain this unimaginable alternative,” Johnson stated.
“I’m grateful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian and Peter trusting me to hold on our tradition and I promise to present this accountability the whole lot I’ve to make Spurs followers proud.”
Johnson may have a large alternative on his arms.
He’ll get to proceed to work with the NBA star Victor Wembanyama.
Johnson will coach below Popovich, who has 1,422 regular-season wins and 5 NBA Finals titles on his Corridor of Fame teaching resume.
The Spurs will hope to make the playoffs in 2025-26 for the primary time since 2017.
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