End of an era

The San Antonio Spurs had finally said goodbye to the man who had been calling the plays for the past 29 years.  Mainly because of health issues, Greg Popovich stepped down from active coaching duties and Mitch Johnson, who had been the interim head coach in Popovich’s absence, officially became San Antonio’s 18th head coach.

Coach Pop retires as the winningest coach in the NBA with 1,422 career wins including 5 NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014).  His win-loss percentage among coaches with at least 20 years of coaching experience is bested only by Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach and Pat Riley.  More than any other coach, he had 19 50-win seasons.

He won the Coach of the Year award 3 times – in 2003 when the Spurs won their second title, in 2012 and in 2014 along with their 5th championship.  Coach Pop led Team USA to the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Coaching the Spurs since 1996, he had mentored eight players who were inducted into basketball’s Hall of Fame – Dominique Wilkins, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Tracy McGrady, Dennis Rodman and Pau Gasol.

It’s not only about mentoring players but Coach Pop had also taught several assistants who had become successful head coaches.  In a Sports Illustrated article, these coaches had been mentored by Popovich.

Mike Budenholzer – from 1994 to 2013.   Coached Atlanta, Milwaukee and Phoenix.  Won his first NBA title with the Bucks and was named COY in 2015 and 2019.

Mike Brown – from 2000 to 2003 and had coached Cleveland, LA Lakers and Sacramento.  NBA COY 2009 and 2023.

Brett Brown – from 2003 to 2013.  Had coached Philadelphia and is currently back with the Spurs.

PJ Carlessimo – currently retired, on the staff from 2002 to 2007.  Coached OKC and Brooklyn.

James Borrego – had coached Charlotte, currently an assistant with New Orleans, he was on Pop’s staff from 2003 to 2010 and 2015 t0 2018.

Ime Udoka – from 2012 to 2019, coached Boston and currently with Houston.

Will Hardy – from 2015 to 2021 and currently Utah’s head coach.

Mitch Johnson – from 2019 to 2025 and is the full time Spurs head coach.

Popovich transitions into the role as San Antonio’s president of basketball operations where he decides whom to build around the young and talented Victor Wembanyama.  His coaching era has ended but Coach Pop, now El Jefe, is a Spur for life.