Gregg Popovich, born on January 28, 1949, in East Chicago, Indiana, is a distinguished American basketball coach and executive, renowned for his extensive tenure with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He began his association with the Spurs in 1994 as president of basketball operations and general manager, ascending to the role of head coach in 1996.
Over his illustrious career, Popovich has become the NBA’s all-time leader in coaching wins and has guided the Spurs to five NBA championships.
In November 2024, Popovich suffered a mild stroke, leading to his indefinite leave from coaching. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has since taken over the team’s coaching duties. At 76, Popovich has expressed hope of returning to coaching in the future.
Popovich’s influence extends beyond the NBA; he served as the head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading them to a gold medal. In 2023, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest basketball minds in history.