NBA News: Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson promoted after Gregg Popovich’s exit
After nearly three decades, the San Antonio Spurs will have a new head coach at the helm. Gregg Popovich, who has been leading the team since 1994, will be transitioning to a full-time role as the president of basketball operations. In his place, Mitch Johnson has been promoted to head coach.
Johnson has been with the Spurs organization for nine years, starting with the team’s G League affiliate in Austin, Texas, in 2016. He has been an assistant coach with the Spurs since 2019 and also served as the team’s coach in the NBA Summer League in 2022 and 2023. During the 2024-25 season, Johnson stepped in for Popovich for 77 games as the five-time NBA champion recovered from a mild stroke.
In a statement released on Friday, Popovich expressed his gratitude for his time as head coach, saying, “While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach.” He went on to thank the players, coaches, staff, and fans who have supported him throughout his tenure with the Spurs.
Johnson will be formally introduced as the new head coach on Monday in San Antonio. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I am truly grateful and honored to receive this incredible opportunity. I am thankful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian, and Peter trusting me to carry on our culture, and I promise to give this responsibility everything I have to make Spurs fans proud.”
Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt also expressed his confidence in Johnson, stating, “We are thrilled for Mitch Johnson to be our next head coach. Throughout his decade in the organization, we have seen that Mitch has the right values, poise, and potential to lead us into the future.”
Star player Victor Wembanyama voiced his belief in the organization’s decision, saying, “I trust the organization… and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role. So, I think we are in good hands.”
Johnson, a former four-year starter at Stanford, played in the G League and in Europe before joining the Spurs organization. His experience as a player and coach, combined with his dedication to the team’s culture, make him a promising choice to lead the Spurs into a new era.
As the Spurs prepare for the upcoming season under new leadership, fans can look forward to seeing Johnson’s vision and passion for the game translate into success on the court. The transition marks the end of an era with Popovich stepping down as head coach, but it also signals a new chapter for the Spurs with Johnson at the helm.
