Longtime Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich steps down after nearly 30 years

Legendary Basketball Coach Gregg Popovich announced on Friday that he would step down as the main coach San Antonio Spurs And they will move full time on the president of the basketball operations.

The announcement followed after the absence of Popovich most of the 2024 season after the team earlier called a slight stroke.

Chief coach San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich, left, and guard Tony Parker, #9, talk during training on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in San Antoni, on the eve of the NBA 4 finals against Miami Heat. (AP Photo/Eric gay, file)

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I decided it was time to deviate as the main coach,” Popovich said in a statement on Friday afternoon. “I am forever grateful to wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who have allowed me to serve them as the main coach of Spurs, and I am excited about the possibility of continuing to support the organization, the community and the city that are so significant to me.”

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Popovich’s mandate ends after almost three decades of running in which he saw the spurs train on five Nba Championships. He remains the leader of the league of all time wins and has the most victories in the playoffs with one team of any coach in the NBA history. His career, which included that he was named NBA coach of the year and a golden Olympic gold medal three times, earned him a place in the celebrity house in 2023.

American basketball players set up a gold medal to coach Gregg Popovich during a medal for men’s basketball medals on Saturday, August 7, 2021 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eric gay)

“The exceptional influence of Popa coaches on our family, San Antonio, Spurs and the play of basketball are deep,” said the management partner Spurs Peter J. Holt in a statement. “His awards and awards are not just affected by so many people. He is truly unique as a person, leader and coach. Our whole family, together with fans from all over the world, is grateful for his exceptional 29-year-old market as the main coach of Spurs San Antonio.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has medical attention while recovering from stroke: report

Popovich missed all except five games last season after suffering a stroke on November 2. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has taken over since then. The 76-year-old coach did not speak publicly from the incident, but addressed the teams in February, where he said he hoped he would “return to training” in the future.

The main coach of San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich watches during the second half of their basketball game in the regular part of the season against the Phoenix Suns in Mexico City on Saturday, December 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

However, last month, Popovich allegedly suffered a medical incident as he had lunch at the restaurant.

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Popovich will remain with the Spurs as the president of the team, the role he has held since 1994. In 1996, he released Bob Hill and appointed himself a coach – a title that also had 29 seasons.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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