Gregg Popovich: Legendary NBA, San Antonio Spurs head coach steps down from role after 29 seasons to become president of basketball operations

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Gregg Popovich stepped aside as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs five games into last season due to health problems, but has now confirmed that he will not return to the role after 29 seasons in charge. He will be replaced on a permanent basis by Mitch Johnson, who had been in place on an interim basis. Popovich will remain at the Spurs as president of basketball operations.

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has stepped down after 29 seasons in the role.

The 76-year-old will remain with the NBA franchise and become president of basketball operations.

Popovich took on the head coach role in 1996 and in his time at the Spurs, he amassed a record 1,422 regular season wins, and claimed five NBA championships.

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He had been the longest-serving coach still working in America in their most prominent sports.

Popovich will be replaced as head coach by Mitch Johnson, which will come as little surprise to many observers.

Johnson took over the job on an interim basis five games into last season, when Popovich was sidelined due to health reasons, and he will now take over on a permanent basis, it has been confirmed.

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"While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach," wrote Popovich in a statement on the official NBA website.

"I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organisation, community and city that are so meaningful to me."

Popovich led the US Olympic side to gold in the men's basketball tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and oversaw the US side's seventh-place finish in the 2019 basketball World Cup.

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