ESPN
Gregg Popovich may no longer be the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, but he still has his famed sense of humor. During his first public appearance in November 2024, Popovich announced that his new nickname is no long “Coach,” but “El Jefe.”
On Monday, May 5, legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich — now officially the franchise’s President of Basketball Operations — confirmed to reporters that he was stepping down as head coach and that Mitch Johnson would be taking over.
Popovich suffered what was reported as being a “mild stroke” in November and has not returned to the sidelines since as he’s been recovering.
Standing at the podium flanked by fellow Spurs legends Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobli, Popovich explained his decision behind stepping down.
“Things are getting better by the day, but it’s not good enough for what we plan ahead,” Popovich said. “So, it’s time to make this change… That’s the goal, to make sure we keep it going.”
Popovich then removed his jacket to reveal a T-shirt with his new title: “El jefe,” the Spanish phrase for “the boss.”
“I’m no longer coach. I’m ‘El Jefe.’”
Johnson, 39 years old, has been an assistant coach with the Spurs since 2019 and took over as interim head coach in November after Pop’s stroke.
“I can’t be him or ‘El Jefe,’” Johnson said of taking over from the NBA icon. “But to be able to commit and invest in people and relationships — that can be having to yell and hold someone accountable, and that can be to put your arm around someone’s shoulder and love them — and he did it better than anybody that’s ever walked the sidelines. And I will attempt to do it my way, whatever that looks like going forward.”
Popovich, who spent 29 seasons as the Spurs head coach, had a record of 1412-851 (making him the winningest coach in the history of the NBA) and won five NBA championships, putting him in the conversation of being the greatest basketball coach of all time.
Beyond his coaching prowess, Pop has also become a beloved figure in American sports for his humor, candor, and compassion, which he routinely displayed over the decades and resulted in him being so admired by his former players, many of whom were in attendance at Monday’s press conference.