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For the first time in nearly 30 years, someone other than Greg Popovich will become the San Antonio Spurs head coach.
On Friday, the NBA franchise announced Mitch Johnson's promotion to head coach.
The decision came shortly after Popovich was confirmed to abandon his head coaching duties and move to president of the team's full-time basketball operations.
Popovich has been leading the Spurs basketball operations since 1994, balancing the role of executive and coaching for 29 years.
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San Antonio Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson and head coach Greg Popovich during their match against the Utah Jazz at San Antonio AT&T Center. (Michael Gonzalez/nbae via Getty Images)
Johnson's tenure with the Spurs lasted nine years. He joined Spurs' G League affiliate in Austin, Texas in 2016. He has been an assistant coach at Spurs since 2019.
Johnson was also the San Antonio coach of the 2022 and 2023 NBA Summer League. Johnson took up Popovich in 77 games during the 2024-25 season, recovering from what the five-time NBA champions described as mild strokes.
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“While my love and passion for the game remains, I have decided it's time to leave as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I am forever grateful to the incredible players, coaches, staff and fans who have allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited to continue supporting an organization, community and city that makes a lot of sense to me.”
San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich Watch will face the Utah Jazz in the second quarter, which took place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on October 31, 2024. (Rob Grey/Imagn Images)
Johnson will be officially featured in San Antonio on Monday.
“When I got the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I never thought the opportunity would be ahead of me,” Johnson said at the end of the regular season. “And so, how your journey will take you, and sometimes the biggest moments come from the least likely places.”
San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson watches a match from a side job with the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Little Caesar Arena in Detroit on March 25, 2025. (David Reginek/Imagn Images)
“We are delighted to see Mitch Johnson become the next head coach,” said Peter J. Holt, managing partner for the Spurs. “Throughout his decade at the organization, Mitch has seen the right values, calm and potential that will bring us into the future.”
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Spurs star Victor Wenbanyama said he believes the organization will do the right thing when the season is over.
“I trust the organization…and I trust that Mitch will grow into that role,” Wenbagnama said. “So I think we're in good hands.”
Johnson played for Stanford as a four-year starter before playing in the G League and Europe.
“I am truly grateful and honored to have had this incredible opportunity,” Johnson said. “I am grateful to Pop Director, RC, Brian and Peter for their trust in taking over our culture. I am committed to giving Spurs fans everything they can be proud of.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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