Gregg Popovich tells Spurs he won’t return this season

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Gregg Popovich, the winningest coach in NBA history, plans to focus on his health after a stroke, with the hope to ‘return to coaching in the future’

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich met with the team Thursday, February 27, for the first time since his stroke and informed the players he is not returning this season.

“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season,” Popovich said in a statement through the team. “Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job, and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.”

ESPN reported last week that the team expected to finish the campaign without Popovich, who suffered what the Spurs called a mild stroke on November 2, just five games into the season.

Johnson, the interim coach, has led the Spurs to a 22-30 mark (24-33 overall) in the absence of Popovich, who has coached the team since the 1996-1997 season and won five NBA championships.

Popovich’s plans for next season are unknown.

The winningest coach in NBA history turned 76 on January 28. Popovich owns a career record of 1,407 wins-843 losses in 2,250 games with the Spurs. 

The three-time NBA Coach of the Year was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. – Rappler.com