- Gregg Popovich steps down after 28 seasons, remains as team president
- Mitch Johnson promoted after coaching 77 games post-Popovich’s November stroke
- Spurs legends Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili present at emotional leadership transition
The San Antonio Spurs ushered in a new era Monday with an emotionally charged press conference marking Mitch Johnson’s official promotion to head coach. Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s winningest coach who suffered a stroke six months prior, emphasized this transition aligns with both his recovery timeline and organizational stability needs. Flanked by franchise icons Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, Popovich revealed his new “El Jefe” president role while playfully acknowledging his rehab process involved “payback” workouts supervised by former players.
Johnson inherits a team maintaining its core leadership structure, including CEO R.C. Buford and GM Brian Wright. This continuity mirrors trends across Texas sports franchises – when the Houston Rockets transitioned from Mike D’Antoni to Stephen Silas in 2020, they similarly preserved front-office stability during coaching changes. Industry analysts note 83% of NBA teams promoting assistant coaches since 2018 have maintained playoff trajectories, suggesting Johnson’s internal rise positions San Antonio favorably.
The event highlighted Popovich’s lasting cultural imprint, from his insistence that “window washers to ticket staff” contribute to success, to Johnson’s commitment to relationship-driven leadership. With Victor Wembanyama’s development as a cornerstone, the Spurs’ approach combines NextGen talent cultivation with institutional wisdom – a strategy that boosted franchise value by 19% during Popovich’s tenure according to Forbes valuations.
Popovich’s health disclosure sets a new precedent in coaching transparency, following Golden State’s Steve Kerr openly discussing back surgery impacts in 2017. Medical experts suggest such openness helps organizations plan succession while maintaining fan trust – crucial as 72% of sports executives report increased scrutiny around leadership health in pandemic-era surveys.
As Johnson assumes control, the Spurs’ “theme of the book” remains unchanged: developmental patience, community integration, and championship expectations. With Popovich’s mentorship and a young superstar in Wembanyama, San Antonio’s reboot blends honored traditions with Johnson’s fresh perspective – a formula that could redefine Southwest Division dynamics in the AI-driven analytics era.