Mitch Johnson vowed to restore the pride of San Antonio Spurs’ supporters after being announced as the team’s head coach replacement for Gregg Popovich.
Popovich will remain in his role as the team’s president of basketball operations, but has handed over stewardship responsibilities to Johnson, who had acted as cover for large parts of this season.
Johnson oversaw a 31-45 record after Popovich only managed to take charge of five games this season before suffering a stroke at the team facility on November 2.
“I am truly grateful and honoured to receive this incredible opportunity,” Johnson said in the team’s statement.
“I am thankful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian and [managing partner Peter J. Holt] trusting me to carry on our culture, and I promise to give this responsibility everything I have to make Spurs fans proud.”
Popovich took over as the Spurs’ head coach in 1996 and went on to amass an NBA-record 1,422 wins.
He has won five NBA championships and also led the United States to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Popovich’s 29-year tenure with the Spurs is the longest in NBA history with a single franchise, while Popovich’s 170 postseason wins are the most by a coach with a single franchise.
He coached six Hall of Fame players in San Antonio: David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol.
Victor Wembanyama was the top overall pick in the 2023 draft for the Spurs, and may join that illustrious list of players in the future.
“[Twenty-nine] years. Coach, thank you for your wisdom, for your leadership, for the culture you created,” Wembanyama posted on social media as a tribute to Popovich.
“But most importantly for being a great and inspiring person. It was an honour to be a part of those 29 years. Wishing you the best on your new chapter.”
