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For the first time in almost three decades, someone other than Gregg Popovich will be the head coach of San Antonio Spurs.
On Friday, the NBA franchise Mitch Johnson’s promotion announced to the head coach.
The decision came shortly after it was confirmed that Popovich would give up his main training tasks and transition to the team’s full -time president of basketball operations.
Popovich has led Spurs basketball operations since 1994 and balanced his executive role and coaching role for 29 years.
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Assistant coach Mitch Johnson and head coach Gregg Popovich from San Antonio Spurs during a game against Utah Jazz 11 March 2022 at AT&T Center in San Antonio. (Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
Johnsons Embed period with Spurs spans nine years. He joined the Spurs’ G League -associated company in Austin, Texas, in 2016. He has been a spurs assistant coach since 2019.
Johnson was also San Antonio’s coach at the NBA Summer League in 2022 and 2023. Johnson stepped in for Popovich in 77 games during the 2024-25 season when the five-time NBA champion came from what the team described as a mildly stroke.
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“While my love and passion for the game leftovers, I have decided that it is time to go away as a main coach,” Popovich said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I am eternally grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who let me serve them as a spurs head coach and am excited about the opportunity to continue to support the organization, the community and the city that are so meaningful to me.”
San Antonio Spur’s main coach Gregg Popovich looks at Utah Jazz during the second quarter of the Delta Center in Salt Lake City 31 October 2024. (Rob Gray/Imag- Pictures)
Johnson is formally introduced Monday in San Antonio.
“When I took the opportunity to attend Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I didn’t know the opportunity was ahead of me,” Johnson said at the end of the regular season. “And then it is sometimes funny how your journey takes you, and sometimes the greatest moments can come from the least likely spots.”
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson looks at a game from the sidelines against Detroit Pistons during the first half at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit 25 March 2025. (David Reginek/iMagn -Pictures)
“We are glad that Mitch Johnson is our next head coach,” said Spurs -Managing Partner Peter J. Holt. “Throughout his decade in the organization, we have seen that Mitch has the right values, attitude and potential to lead us into the future.”
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said when the season ended that he had believed the organization would do the right thing.
“I trust the organization … and I also trust Mitch to grow into this role,” Wembanyama said. “So I think we’re in good hands.”
Johnson played at Stanford as a four-year-old starter before playing in the G League and in Europe.
“I’m really grateful and honored to receive this incredible opportunity,” Johnson said. “I am grateful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian and Peter, who trust me to continue our culture, and I promise to give this responsibility all I have for making Spurs -fans proud.”
