Gregg Popovich Speaks Publicly For First Time Since Stroke: ‘I’m No Longer Coach, I’m El Jefe’

The one and only Gregg Popovich spoke publicly on Monday for the first time since his stroke in November. 

The San Antonio Spurs held a press conference for Mitch Johnson, the new head coach of the franchise. 

Popovich will remain with the Spurs as team president. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili stood by the basketball legend while he spoke to the media. 

“I can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring about the organization and sending me thoughts and prayers, that sort of thing, since I had this stroke,” Popovich said. “Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead, so it’s time to make this change.”

Popovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame last year. He’s a three-time NBA Coach of the Year (2002-03, 2011-12, 2013-14) and led Team USA to a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021.

“I’m no longer coach,” Popovich said. “I’m El Jefe.”

Popovich coached the Spurs to titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. He has the most wins in NBA history. 

“Timmy and Manu have been here for all of my workouts here at the Rock,” Popovich said. “They say it’s because they love me and they want to be there in case I fall and they want to catch me, that sort of thing. I call it payback. They give the rehab people new ideas for things to do to me. They’re not fooling anybody.”