Gregg Popovich
Popovich speaking at the White House in 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Antonio Spurs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | President of basketball operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | NBA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | January 28, 1949 East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| High school | Merrillville (Merrillville, Indiana) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | Air Force (1966–1970) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Guard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career | 1973–2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As a coach: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1973–1979 | Air Force (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1979–1986 | Pomona-Pitzer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986–1987 | Kansas (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1988 | Pomona-Pitzer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988–1992 | San Antonio Spurs (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1994 | Golden State Warriors (assistant) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996–2025 | San Antonio Spurs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As head coach:
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| Career coaching record | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA | 1,390–824 (.628) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record at Basketball Reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medals
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Gregg Charles Popovich (born January 28, 1949)[1] is an American professional basketball executive and former coach who is the president for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the head coach of the Spurs for 29 seasons from 1996 to 2025, during which he won five NBA championships, and was the longest tenured active coach in the NBA as well as all other major sports leagues in the United States. He has been a member of the Spurs organization since 1994, originally as president of basketball operations and general manager, before taking over as coach in 1996. Nicknamed "Coach Pop", Popovich has the most wins of any coach in NBA history,[2][3] and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.[4][5]
Popovich led the Spurs to a winning record in each of his first 22 full seasons as head coach, surpassing Phil Jackson for the most consecutive winning seasons in NBA history. During his tenure, the Spurs have had a winning record against every other NBA team. Popovich has been a key figure in the sustained success of the Spurs in the 1990s, the 2000s, and most of the 2010s.[6] Popovich has led the Spurs to all five of their NBA titles, and is one of only five coaches in NBA history to have won five titles. He was also the head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading the team to a gold medal. In 2023, Popovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[7]
After 29 seasons as head coach of the Spurs, Popovich stepped down in 2025 and transitioned into a front office role as the team's president of basketball operations.
- ^ John Grasso (November 15, 2010). Historical Dictionary of Basketball. Scarecrow Press. pp. 299–. ISBN 978-0-8108-7506-7.
- ^ "Gregg Popovich Named 2017–20 USA National Team Head Coach". USA Basketball. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
- ^ "2018–19 Official NBA Guide" (PDF). NBA.com. p. 197. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ Wetzel, Dan (June 14, 2007). "French connection". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
- ^ "Devin Brown And Coach Pop Spread Message To Local Youth". NBA.com. February 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 27, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "The Top Ranked Pro Basketball Head Coaches of the 2000s". www.ainsworthsports.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- "San Antonio Spurs: Gregg Popovich's influence is painted over the Finals". Air Alamo. May 31, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- Dimmitt, Zach (June 10, 2022). "Today in Spurs History: Big 3 Dominate, Take Game 2 of NBA Finals Over LeBron's Cavs". Fan Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- Dougherty, Jack (June 1, 2020). "Gregg Popovich Turned His Incredible Coaching Success Into a Massive Net Worth". Sportscasting | Pure Sports. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- Wolkenbrod, Rob. "Spurs' Gregg Popovich Takes Another Leap Into Greatness". Forbes. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- Roberson, Lance (February 20, 2023). "Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich Named Among 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists". Fan Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ "Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade headline Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2023". NBA.com. Associated Press. April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.