One of the best and most iconic coaches in American sports has decided to hang up his whistle.

After 29 seasons at the helm of the San Antonio Spurs, Gregg Popovich announced Friday that he is retiring from coaching.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said.

Popovich will remain in his role as the team’s president of basketball operations.

Popovich coached just five games this season before suffering a stroke at the team facility on Nov. 2. He had previously said that he hoped to return to coaching but has since been treated for further health issues.

Mitch Johnson, a long-time assistant who took over as the interim coach in November, has been signed to a contract as Popovich’s full-time successor.

We’re pleased to announce Mitch Johnson as our new head coach pic.twitter.com/S73Hp7hghn

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 2, 2025

Popovich took over as the Spurs’ head coach in 1996 and went on to amass an NBA-record 1,422 wins, winning five NBA titles and shaping multiple generations of basketball along the way.

Popovich also led the United States to a gold medal in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

But his most memorable moments were on the sidelines in San Antonio.

Popovich’s 29-year tenure with the Spurs is the longest in NBA history with a single franchise, and he coached six Hall of Fame players in San Antonio: David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. Chris Paul, who joined the Spurs this season largely to play under Popovich, will almost certainly add to that total, as will Kawhi Leonard.

Popovich’s 170 post-season wins are the most by a coach with a single franchise, and only Phil Jackson (229) and Pat Riley (171) have more all-time.

Popovich’s tenure spanned multiple generations and several eras of basketball. At the beginning of his career, he joined the Spurs as an assistant under legendary coach Larry Brown in 1988, and his tenure lasted into Victor Wembanyama’s Rookie of the Year honours in 2024.

Across three decades, Popovich coached against Michael Jordan, Jayson Tatum and every star player and dynasty between.

29 seasons of coaching brilliance pic.twitter.com/tGzy31hC7f

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 2, 2025

Popovich was the Spurs’ general manager in 1996 when he fired Bob Hill and took over as head coach. With David Robinson playing only six games, Popovich finished his first season as head coach at 17-47.

The Spurs’ fortunes forever changed in 1997, however, when they won the draft lottery and the right to select Tim Duncan as the top pick.

San Antonio’s dynasty began by hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1999, and they followed with titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

The Spurs dominated the 2000s with a precise and methodical offence coupled with a physical defence.

By the 2010s, however, the NBA had shifted toward a more open game, and Popovich adjusted.

With more freedom of movement – and an infusion of talent in Kawhi Leonard – the Spurs increased the pace and stressed ball-movement while embracing the rising 3-point shooting rates.

San Antonio reached the Finals again in 2013 but lost in seven games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat, with the pain of a heart-breaking Game 6 loss providing the motivational fuel for the next season.

The Spurs shredded the Heat 4-1 the following year, and the 2014 title served as the cherry atop Popovich’s Hall of Fame career.