San Antonio has been down for a while since it had David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, and Kawhi Leonard leading it to NBA Championships.
Gregg Popovich was the captain of the ship behind that success, but the 76-year-old leaves the Spurs in a much better place as he transitions from the court to the front office. Popovich made the decision last week to step down as San Antonio’s head coach after 29 seasons, five NBA Championships, three NBA Coach of the Year awards, and four NBA All-Star Game head coach honors. He goes down as one of the top 15 head coaches in the history of the league, yet the more impressive aspect was how “Pop” set up his successor to succeed.
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Mitch Johnson, 38, sat under Popovich as an assistant coach since 2019. He has been groomed to take over the coaching seat — especially after serving as interim coach this season while Popovich recovered from a stroke he suffered in 2024.
San Antonio is in prime position with young guys such as Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox, but Popovich made sure the draft power, ability to attract free agents, and make huge trades were in order too.
Breaking: San Antonio Spurs legendary coach Gregg Popovich to retire, moving to team president
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained how Popovich left the Spurs in a better spot.
Brian Windhorst goes in-depth on just how bright the Spurs’ future is.
“Pop won 5 championships, but he did something even more special. He left it in a better place than when he took it over. This is no disaster situation here.” pic.twitter.com/8TTlmwQLma
— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) May 2, 2025
“They are in an absolutely spectacular position,” Windhorst said.
“This year was obviously derailed because he had his health incident and Victor Wembanyama went down with a blood clot, but my gosh are they in good shape. They have all of their draft picks, they have three extra first-round picks, they have the last two Rookies of the Year in Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, and they are in a great position with their salary cap sheet. Look, they have two picks in this lottery coming up. They have a 30 percent chance between their pick and the Hawks pick to jump into the top-four where they might be able to draft another Rookie of the Year whether it’s Cooper Flagg or somebody else, or they can use those picks and trade to potentially upgrade their team short term. They have movable contracts, they have good developing young players elsewhere on their roster … I know he won five championships, but he [Popovich] did something even more special. He left it in a better place than where he took it over. This is no disaster situation here.”
He has nurtured the next head coach and put talent around him to excel.
Johnson is ready to take off, but Popovich has the Spurs ready to be elite again. San Antonio will be in the market this summer to potential grab Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo if it chooses to upgrade its roster for the short term.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him him X via @CoachingMSmith.
