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Gregg Popovich is a legendary NBA coach. While he is tied for third all-time in coaching championships and was 75 years old when he retired, his career still felt as though it was cut short.
During a chaotic 2024 and 2025, multiple health scares unfortunately sidelined Popovich from coaching his Spurs.
San Antonio's current coach, Mitch Johnson, was forced to jump right in as the franchise's interim coach before taking the full reins in 2025.
Here is a recap of how Popovich ended his career as San Antonio's head coach.
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Gregg Popovich health update
While he has remained in good health as of 2026, Popovich's health history has not always been clear.
In November 2024, he had a stroke at the Spurs' home arena. While recovering from that health incident in April, Popovich had reportedly fainted at a restaurant.
Less than a month later, Popovich announced he would be retiring as San Antonio's head coach and joining the team's front office as president of basketball operations.
BREAKING: Gregg Popovich will no longer be Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs and is transitioning full-time to Team President, sources told ESPN. The iconic Popovich is a Basketball Hall of Famer, the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, and led the Spurs to five championships. pic.twitter.com/mbtUtpgA4V
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2025NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement that same day, thanking Popovich for his contributions to the sport of basketball. Here is that statement:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding Gregg Popovich: pic.twitter.com/9I6Bq04Viq
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 2, 2025MORE: How did the Spurs build their 2026 NBA Finals roster?
How old is Gregg Popovich?
As of June 2026, Popovich is 77 years old. The legendary coach was born on January 28, 1949, in East Chicago, Ind.
Across his 28-year coaching career, Popovich has accumulated a 1390-824 record (59.2%) and five NBA Championships. Currently, Popovich serves as San Antonio's president of basketball operations.
MORE: When was the last time the Spurs won a championship?
When did Gregg Popovich have a stroke?
Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Nov. 2, 2024. The team released a statement right after the incident, saying their coach had started a rehabilitation program and was expected to make a full recovery.
Current Spurs' head coach Mitch Johnson took over in the interim coach role while the five-time champion was away from the team. In the following February, Popovich announced that he would not return in the 2024-25 season.
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Why did Gregg Popovich retire?
Along with his age increasing during each passing season, Popovich had fallen victim to repeated health scares in 2024 and 2025. In November 2024, he had a stroke at the Spurs' home arena. While recovering from that health incident in April, Popovich had reportedly fainted at a restaurant.
Less than a month after he reportedly passed out, Popovich announced he would be retiring as San Antonio's head coach and joining the team's front office as president of basketball operations.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Popovich ultimately concluded that he "no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach."
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