The San Antonio Spurs, on Monday, officially passed the torch from Gregg Popovich to Mitch Johnson. In an emotional press conference featuring appearances from all the usual suspects, with Dejounte Murray, Stephon Castle, and David Robinson in attendance, Popovich, flanked by Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, stepped into his new role as "El Jefe."

The San Antonio Spurs announced Friday that coach Gregg Popovich was stepping down and Mitch Johnson would replace him as head coach.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich appointed Mitch Johnson as the team’s new head coach on Monday. In his first press conference since suffering a mild stroke in November 2024, Popovich spoke on his tenure as head coach of the Spurs for 29 seasons and his decision to step down from the role.