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The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Who is Mitch Johnson — the new coach of San Antonio Spurs?
Gregg Popovich spoke publicly Monday for the first time since suffering a stroke six months ago, saying at the news conference where the San Antonio Spurs formally introduced Mitch Johnson as his replacement that the time was right to make that move. Mitch Johnson factfile Mitchell Johnson (born November 29, 1986) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Johnson replaced Gregg Popovich, who stepped down after 29 seasons. He previously served as the interim head coach and assistant coach of the Spurs. Also served as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs from 2016 to 2019. He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal. Flanked by Spurs greats Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, the 76-year-old Popovich — speaking far more softly than he has in the past — said his health is improving and that he fully believes in Johnson. '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.' ALSO READ: Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield lead Golden State Warriors past Houston Rockets in Game 7 Popovich will remain with the Spurs as team president, and the leadership of the team — including CEO R.C. Buford and general manager Brian Wright — isn't changing. Nor will the team's ideals, Popovich said. 'That's the goal, to make sure we keep it going,' Popovich said, adding that he will do everything he can to help Johnson going forward. Popovich removed his jacket before bringing Johnson to the podium, revealing a T-shirt with his new title: 'El jefe,' it said, the Spanish phrase for 'the boss.'
Toronto Star
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Spurs promote Mitch Johnson to head coach, taking over for Gregg Popovich
Mitch Johnson never expected to be coach of the San Antonio Spurs, not even on an interim basis. It's his team going forward. Johnson, the interim coach for the final 77 games the Spurs played this season, will be the new coach of the team after Friday's announcement by Gregg Popovich that he is stepping down and transitioning solely into being the team's president of basketball operations. Popovich had the job since 1996. 'When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I had no idea that opportunity was in front of me,' Johnson said at the end of the regular season. 'And so, it's sometimes funny how your journey takes you and sometimes the biggest moments can come from the least likely spots.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Johnson got the job, initially, on virtually no notice. Popovich had a stroke in the team's San Antonio arena on Nov. 2, a few hours before the Spurs played the Minnesota Timberwolves that night. Johnson took over on an interim basis and kept the job for the remainder of the season. He went 32-45 in those games, which goes on Popovich's record since he was still technically the head coach. When Johnson coaches on opening night next season, it'll be his 78th time in the role and his record — unless the NBA makes an exception — going into it will be 0-0. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said when the season ended that he had belief the organization would do the right thing. 'I trust the organization ... and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role,' Wembanyama said. 'So, I think we are in good hands.' Johnson has been in the Spurs organization for nine seasons, the last five of those in San Antonio. He was San Antonio's coach in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023 — with Popovich watching just about every move, albeit from the stands. His time with the Spurs started with their G League affiliate in Austin, Texas. Before that, he spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland in 2016. ___ AP NBA:
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs promote Mitch Johnson to head coach, taking over for Gregg Popovich
Mitch Johnson never expected to be coach of the San Antonio Spurs, not even on an interim basis. It's his team going forward. Johnson, the interim coach for the final 77 games the Spurs played this season, will be the new coach of the team after Friday's announcement by Gregg Popovich that he is stepping down and transitioning solely into being the team's president of basketball operations. Popovich had the job since 1996. 'When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I had no idea that opportunity was in front of me,' Johnson said at the end of the regular season. 'And so, it's sometimes funny how your journey takes you and sometimes the biggest moments can come from the least likely spots.' Johnson got the job, initially, on virtually no notice. Popovich had a stroke in the team's San Antonio arena on Nov. 2, a few hours before the Spurs played the Minnesota Timberwolves that night. Johnson took over on an interim basis and kept the job for the remainder of the season. He went 32-45 in those games, which goes on Popovich's record since he was still technically the head coach. When Johnson coaches on opening night next season, it'll be his 78th time in the role and his record — unless the NBA makes an exception — going into it will be 0-0. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said when the season ended that he had belief the organization would do the right thing. 'I trust the organization ... and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role,' Wembanyama said. 'So, I think we are in good hands.' Johnson has been in the Spurs organization for nine seasons, the last five of those in San Antonio. He was San Antonio's coach in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023 — with Popovich watching just about every move, albeit from the stands. His time with the Spurs started with their G League affiliate in Austin, Texas. Before that, he spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland in 2016. ___ AP NBA:
Winnipeg Free Press
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Spurs promote Mitch Johnson to head coach, taking over for Gregg Popovich
Mitch Johnson never expected to be coach of the San Antonio Spurs, not even on an interim basis. It's his team going forward. Johnson, the interim coach for the final 77 games the Spurs played this season, will be the new coach of the team after Friday's announcement by Gregg Popovich that he is stepping down and transitioning solely into being the team's president of basketball operations. Popovich had the job since 1996. 'When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I had no idea that opportunity was in front of me,' Johnson said at the end of the regular season. 'And so, it's sometimes funny how your journey takes you and sometimes the biggest moments can come from the least likely spots.' Johnson got the job, initially, on virtually no notice. Popovich had a stroke in the team's San Antonio arena on Nov. 2, a few hours before the Spurs played the Minnesota Timberwolves that night. Johnson took over on an interim basis and kept the job for the remainder of the season. He went 32-45 in those games, which goes on Popovich's record since he was still technically the head coach. When Johnson coaches on opening night next season, it'll be his 78th time in the role and his record — unless the NBA makes an exception — going into it will be 0-0. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said when the season ended that he had belief the organization would do the right thing. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'I trust the organization … and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role,' Wembanyama said. 'So, I think we are in good hands.' Johnson has been in the Spurs organization for nine seasons, the last five of those in San Antonio. He was San Antonio's coach in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023 — with Popovich watching just about every move, albeit from the stands. His time with the Spurs started with their G League affiliate in Austin, Texas. Before that, he spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland in 2016. ___ AP NBA:
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Spurs promote Mitch Johnson to head coach, taking over for Gregg Popovich
Mitch Johnson never expected to be coach of the San Antonio Spurs, not even on an interim basis. It's his team going forward. Johnson, the interim coach for the final 77 games the Spurs played this season, will be the new coach of the team after Friday's announcement by Gregg Popovich that he is stepping down and transitioning solely into being the team's president of basketball operations. Popovich had the job since 1996. 'When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I had no idea that opportunity was in front of me,' Johnson said at the end of the regular season. 'And so, it's sometimes funny how your journey takes you and sometimes the biggest moments can come from the least likely spots.' Johnson got the job, initially, on virtually no notice. Popovich had a stroke in the team's San Antonio arena on Nov. 2, a few hours before the Spurs played the Minnesota Timberwolves that night. Johnson took over on an interim basis and kept the job for the remainder of the season. He went 32-45 in those games, which goes on Popovich's record since he was still technically the head coach. When Johnson coaches on opening night next season, it'll be his 78th time in the role and his record — unless the NBA makes an exception — going into it will be 0-0. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said when the season ended that he had belief the organization would do the right thing. 'I trust the organization ... and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role,' Wembanyama said. 'So, I think we are in good hands.' Johnson has been in the Spurs organization for nine seasons, the last five of those in San Antonio. He was San Antonio's coach in the NBA Summer League at Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023 — with Popovich watching just about every move, albeit from the stands. His time with the Spurs started with their G League affiliate in Austin, Texas. Before that, he spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland in 2016. ___ AP NBA:
