San Antonio Spurs Hire Mitch Johnson as New Head Coach After Gregg Popovich Steps Down

San Antonio Spurs Hire Mitch Johnson As New Head Coach After Gregg Popovich Steps Down

Boom! Big news outta San Antonio — Mitch Johnson is officially the new head coach of the Spurs, and yeah, that’s the Spurs, the team Gregg Popovich practically built from scratch over three decades.

Pop isn’t gone though — the 75-year-old legend is sliding into a front-office role as president of basketball operations. So don’t worry, he’s not riding off into the Texas sunset just yet.

The San Antonio Express-News broke the news, confirming that Johnson, who stepped up as interim coach this past season, is now running the whole show. And get this — he didn’t just coast into the gig. He took over after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November 2024 and led the team through a gritty, injury-plagued season.

Johnson’s record? 32 wins, 45 losses. Not flashy, but considering Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox were sidelined for chunks of the season, that’s not too shabby.

According to Express-News, Popovich personally endorsed Johnson, calling him a steady leader with “Spurs DNA.” he’s one of the good guys, and Pop trusts him with the keys to the castle.

And the players? They’re totally here for it. Keldon Johnson said Mitch is “real and relatable,” and Wemby praised his consistency and vibe. This ain’t just a handshake promotion — it’s a full-on Spurs family moment.

Johnson’s been with the franchise since 2016, first with the Austin Spurs, then climbing the ladder as an assistant. Dude’s put in the work. He knows the system, the culture, the quirks — all of it.

And now? He’s in charge. The clipboard is his.

If you’re wondering if the Spurs were tempted to chase after big-name free agent coaches… nope. They had their guy all along.

Welcome to the hot seat, Mitch. No pressure or anything — just carry on the legacy of one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.