Gregg Popovich, the NBA’s all-time wins leader, seen here during historic No. This was to be his first public remarks since his stroke on November 2, 2024. The secretive, brilliant mind behind one of sport’s most successful dynasties, Popovich has coached the Spurs since 1996, hoisting five NBA championship banners. At a press conference on May 5, 2025, Blatt opened up about his health, recovery — and the future of the Spurs.
Popovich thanked former players, coaches and fans that have encouraged him by standing by him through his recovery journey. He paid tribute to the teamwork required to keep the Spurs successfully rolling on their famous run of form. “I can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring about the organization and sending me thoughts and prayers, that sort of thing, since I had this stroke,” Popovich stated.
While he noted that his condition is improving, he emphasized that it is not sufficient for the team’s ambitious plans moving forward. “Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead, so it’s time to make this change,” he said. Taken together, his comments signal a real transition in leadership as he gets ready to pass the torch to his 5th successor.
Former player and now assistant coach Mitch Johnson will step into the role as head coach. Popovich promised supporters that he’d stick with the Spurs to serve as team president. Here’s what he had to say, and why he’s looking forward to helping Johnson in this new role. “That’s the goal, to make sure we keep it going,” he remarked about the future direction of the organization.
As he worked through his recovery process, Popovich would go on to stress the power of collaboration to his fellow Spurs staff members. “We all have a part in this. It’s not just the players and the coaches,” he noted, reinforcing the idea that every member contributes to the team’s success.
In one of the few light-hearted moments at the press conference, Popovich proudly held up a T-shirt. It prominently displayed the moniker El Jefe, Spanish for The Boss. He jokingly called himself the “El Jefe,” a tribute to his legacy and his ever-present impact on the franchise.
Far beyond these past two decades, Popovich’s presence and leadership have been absolutely vital for the Spurs over nearly three decades. His current term extends from 1996 to 2025. Along the way, he’s won a national championship, received a Hall of Fame induction and fostered a culture of excellence within the Miami organization. Yet the Spurs have never been anything less than competitive, and with his presentation, he has become one of the most celebrated figures in NBA history.
Now, after his frightening health scare, Popovich is looking forward to this new chapter. As head coach, he is fearless in protecting the Spurs’ proud tradition as a world-class organization. He thanked fans for their loyal support over the course of his career. Unvaccinated residents have not been let down, he promised, as the state has entered this transitional phase.
While the specifics of Popovich’s recovery story are almost superhero-like, his experience illustrates what is possible with resilient individuals. More critically, it illustrates the emotional connection he’s forged with his players and the league’s fans. The entire Spurs organization looks forward to this new era under Johnson’s leadership while still benefiting from Popovich’s extensive knowledge and experience.
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