San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich – the winningest coach in NBA history – faces an uncertain future following a medical emergency that sidelined him during the 2024 season. The 75-year-old basketball icon reportedly suffered a mild stroke in early November 2024, forcing him to take an indefinite leave of absence from coaching duties.
Team officials confirmed assistant Mitch Johnson will serve as interim coach while Popovich focuses on recovery. This marks the first significant health-related absence for Popovich since he began coaching the Spurs in 1996. The news comes just over a year after signing a historic five-year contract extension in July 2023 that would keep him with the franchise through 2028.
Legacy Under Pressure
Despite recent struggles – including four consecutive losing seasons since 2020 – Popovich’s career achievements remain unparalleled:
- 5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
- 3× NBA Coach of the Year
- All-time wins leader (1,388 regular season victories)
- 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
The coaching maestro revolutionized modern basketball through his “Spurs Culture” philosophy, developing international stars like Tony Parker (France) and Manu Ginóbili (Argentina). His innovative load management strategies – famously fined $250K by the NBA in 2012 for resting stars – later became league standard practice.
Olympic Redemption
Popovich added Olympic gold to his resume in 2021, leading Team USA to victory at the Tokyo Games after a disappointing seventh-place finish at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. His international success cemented his status as one of basketball’s greatest ambassadors.
Future Uncertain
With San Antonio currently holding a 22-60 record this season, analysts question whether Popovich will return to coach rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama – the French phenom many consider crucial to rebuilding Spurs dominance. Team physicians have not provided a recovery timeline, leaving fans and players alike awaiting updates.
