Popovich News Earns Mike Tomlin New Honor

On Friday, the basketball world learned the sad truth that coaching legend Greg Popovich has coached his last game. The San Antonio Spurs icon revealed that he will transition into the team’s president of basketball operations, stepping down from his role as head coach in the process.

The move comes after a series of unfortunate health scares, including a mild stroke in November.

"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, via ESPN. "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."

The NBA community rallied around Popovich, but athletes from across the sports landscape chimed in with support. That includes the NFL, where Popovich’s transition impacts an impressive leaderboard.

The news highlights the legacy of Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Popovich took over San Antonio in 1996. His stepping down makes Tomlin, who became the Steelers head coach in 2007, the longest-tenured active coach in North American sports.

Tomlin is positioned well to continue his streak as the lead man in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have had three head coaches since we put a man on the moon. That kind of continuity lends itself to incredible job security, and the extension Tomlin signed before the 2024 season only adds to that.

Tomlin earned himself that trust by winning a Super Bowl in his second season, but while he won the conference once since, he hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, in the waning days of the second Barack Obama administration. For such an esteemed franchise, it has caused some consternation. Still, Tomlin is yet to have a losing season, despite his post-Ben Roethlisberger quarterbacks oscillating between below average and downright bad.

Popovich won five NBA titles and three Coach of the Year awards. Tomlin may not be able to reach those same heights, but his ability to turn any Steelers roster into a competitive one has rendered him a similar level of respect.