While there’s been speculation that San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich may not return to the sidelines, a recent update puts the 75-year-old’s future with the team in a different light. During the team’s trip to Paris, Spurs chief executive officer RC Buford relayed that Popovich has “been improving weekly” since suffering a mild stroke on Nov. 2, per L’EQUIPE reporter Maxime Aubin.
“We don’t know when he will be back, but he will be at some point,” he adds.
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich ‘Will Be Back’
🚨 While in France with the Spurs, RC Buford confirmed that Pop is expected to return to coaching the team:
“He’s been improving weekly (since his stroke). We don’t know when he will be back, but he will be at some point.”
— Maxime Aubin (@MaximeAubin1) January 21, 2025
After Popovich’s health scare, assistant Mitch Johnson was named as the acting head coach. That didn’t necessarily indicate that he would ultimately replace Popovich, as fellow assistant coach Brett Brown is also on the Spurs’ bench. Formerly the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, Brown’s resume easily stands up to Johnson’s. One can’t discount the possibility that Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon came back to reclaim her spot as Popovich’s expected successor either.
Nevertheless, by making Johnson the acting head coach, it appears that it was his job to lose. Given the way the team has performed since he was given the reins, he may very well be next in line behind Popovich. To that point, Spurs centerpiece Victor Wembanyama continues to evolve offensively, empowered to let it fly from beyond the arc. At 7-foot-3, he’s taking 9.1 three-pointers per game, converting 35.4 percent of them.
In terms of his statistical impact, he’s improved marginally, but in several areas. From a holistic perspective, the French phenom continues to look like the future of the center position. Wembanyama isn’t the only player who is steadily developing under Johnson though. 2024 No. 4 pick Stephon Castle has emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate as he grows increasingly confident in his game.
The Wizard Of Oz
For all of Johnson’s success, Popovich has been right there every step of the way. Though he could’ve just decided to rest and rehabilitate, he’s constantly been giving his opinion. Those messages aren’t just received by Johnson or Wembanyama, who are obviously green behind the ears. Even future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul is getting pointers.
In Paris, Mitch Johnson and Chris Paul admit that they both speak to recovering coaching legend Gregg Popovich almost every day. “ I’m not even sure if this is public, but I’m like, he calls. You know what I mean? He calls after games, and I talked to him, and he tells me what he… pic.twitter.com/Hobfjn0MDq
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) January 22, 2025
As a result, Popovich still feels like the head coach. The biggest difference may be that he’s not running practices or roaming the sidelines. At least for right now.
