Gregg Popovich Doesn’t Hold Back on New Spurs Coach Mitch Johnson

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mathey Gibson | Last updated May 5, 2025 12:35 PM ET

One of the NBA’s most iconic coaching careers has reached its next chapter.

On Friday, the San Antonio Spurs officially announced that Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich will step down as head coach and transition to a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.

Taking the reins on the sideline is Mitch Johnson, who served as acting head coach for much of the 2024–25 season.

Popovich, 76, didn’t mince words when addressing Johnson’s elevation to head coach.

“We have to have someone in charge who is fully capable of doing his best,” Popovich said. “This is what this group demands. … You saw him in action last year and he was brilliant.”

Pop on Mitch Johnson: "We have to have someone in charge who is fully capable of doing his best, this is what this group demands...You saw him in action last year and he was brilliant."
— Tom Orsborn (@tom_orsborn) May 5, 2025

Johnson, 38, stepped in after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, guiding a young Spurs roster headlined by former No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama through a turbulent, injury-marred season.

Despite missing the playoffs, San Antonio showed flashes of growth, particularly on the defensive end, with Johnson’s game management and player development earning leaguewide respect.

Popovich, who has spent 29 seasons as the Spurs’ head coach, will remain embedded in the organization’s daily operations.

According to ESPN, he has been present at the facility in recent days and will continue to oversee roster-building, scouting and long-term strategic planning.

For Johnson, the promotion is the culmination of a rapid rise within the Spurs' system.

A former Stanford Cardinal guard and Spurs assistant since 2016, he now becomes one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA.

With Wembanyama entering his third season and a young core gaining experience, the expectations in San Antonio are shifting

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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