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For the first time in almost three decades, someone other than Gregg Popovich will be the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.
Friday, the NBA franchise announced the promotion of Mitch Johnson to the head coach.
The decision occurred shortly after it was confirmed that Popovich will give up his functions as a head coach and would go to the full-time president of the team’s full-time basketball operations.
Popovich has managed Spurs’ basketball operations since 1994, balancing its executive role and its role as coach for 29 years.
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Deputy coach Mitch Johnson and head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs in a match against Utah Jazz on March 11, 2022, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. (Michael Gonzales / NBAE via Getty Images)
Johnson’s mandate with the Spurs extends over nine years. He joined the Spurs League subsidiary in Austin, Texas in 2016. He has been an assistant spurs coach since 2019.
Johnson was also the coach of San Antonio in the NBA Summer League in 2022 and 2023. Johnson intervened for Popovich for 77 games during the 2024-25 season while the five-time NBA champion recovered from what the team described as a soft blow.
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“Although my love and my passion for the game remain, I decided it was time to move away as a chief coach,” Popovich said in a statement on Friday afternoon. “I am eternally grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as a head coach of the Spurs and I am delighted to continue to support the organization, the community and the city which are so significant for me.”
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich looks against Utah Jazz during the second quarter at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on October 31, 2024. (Rob Gray / Imagn images)
Johnson will be officially presented on Monday in San Antonio.
“When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I did not know that the opportunity was ahead of me,” said Johnson at the end of the regular season. “And, therefore, it’s sometimes funny to see how your trip takes you, and sometimes the greatest moments can come from the least likely places.”
Deputy coach of San Antonio Spurs, Mitch Johnson, watches a touch of the touch against the Pistons de Detroit during the first half at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 25, 2025. (David Reginek / Imagn images)
“We are delighted that Mitch Johnson is our next head coach,” said Peter J. Holt, director of Spurs. “Throughout his decade in the organization, we have seen that Mitch has the good values, balance and potential to lead us in the future.”
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said at the end of the season he believed that the organization would do the right thing.
“I trust the organization … and I also trust Mitch to become this role,” said Wembanyama. “So I think we are in good hands.”
Johnson played in Stanford as a four -year -old one before playing in the G league and in Europe.
“I am really grateful and honored to receive this incredible opportunity,” said Johnson. “I am grateful to Coach Pop, RC, Brian and Peter who trusted me to continue our culture, and I promise to give this responsibility everything I have to make fans of the Spurs proud.”
