Why did Gregg Popovich retire? Legendary Spurs coach steps down after health issues impact final season

Colin Capece

•
Why did Gregg Popovich retire? Legendary Spurs coach steps down after health issues impact final season image

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is transitioning to full-time team president of basketball operations, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Popovich announced he was stepping away from the sidelines in February after suffering a mild stroke in November of last year. Assistant Mitch Johnson, who served as interim head coach for the rest of the season, will be San Antonio's next head coach.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

The Hall-of-Fame leader is the oldest coach in the NBA at 76 and has been the Spurs head coach since the 1996-97 season, guiding the team to five NBA titles. He is now moving to the front office.

Here's what to know about Gregg Popovich's new role. 

NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Why did Gregg Popovich retire?

Charania reported that Popovich is transitioning to a new role as the Spurs' team president of basketball operations, ending his 29-year tenure as the franchise's head coach 

Popovich has been at San Antonio's facility in recent days mulling his future, according to Charania. He ultimately came to the conclusion that he "no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach."

Popovich is the NBA's all-time winningest coach with 1,422 regular-season victories and is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year award winner, tied with Don Nelson and Pat Riley for the most in league history.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Friday to thank Popovich for his contributions to the sport.

Gregg Popovich age

Popovich is 76 years old, making him not only the oldest current NBA head coach, but also the oldest man to ever coach a game in the Association. He surpassed the previous record holder, Hubie Brown, who was 71 when he coached his final game for the Grizzlies in 2020.

Popovich first joined the Spurs in 1988 as an assistant coach and was in that role until 1992. He returned to the organization in 1994 as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He took over as head coach in December 1996.

Popovich also coached the U.S. team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, leading it to a gold medal. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

When did Gregg Popovich have a stroke?

Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Saturday, Nov. 2. The team released a statement at the time saying the coach had started a rehabilitation program and was expected to make a full recovery.

Johnson took over as the Spurs' interim coach while the five-time champion was away. It was announced in February that Popovich would not return in the 2024-25 season, and after today's news, he will not be returning to the sidelines. 

Gregg Popovich health history

While recovering from his November stroke, Popovich suffered another health scare.

On April 15, Popovich was at a steakhouse in San Antonio and reportedly fainted. He was alert and talking by the time he entered the back of an ambulance and was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury.

Despite his age and medical history, retirement speculation surrounding Popovich had been quiet leading up to Friday. The Spurs were hoping the legendary coach can make it back to the sidelines to continue developing 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Victor Wembanyama and the rest of the team's young core.

Colin Capece

Colin Capece is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. He previously wrote The Dallas Morning News, USA Today and The Arizona Republic. Colin earned his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and loves to talk baseball and basketball.