NBA

Gregg Popovich Is One Of Five NBA Head Coaches With At Least Five Championships

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Dan Girolamo
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Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Dan is a multifaceted content creator who specializes in sports, pop culture, and entertainment. His entertainment work has been featured on Digital Trends, where he has interviewed Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alison Brie, Adam DeVine, Sadie Sink, Chris O'Dowd, Machine Gun Kelly, and Frank Grillo. Dan's entertainment work has also been featured on Coming Soon, Hidden Remote, and WatchMojo. Dan's other passion in life revolves around sports, graduating from Marist College with a degree in Sports Communication and Journalism. From columns about the latest in New York sports to gambling predictions, Dan continues to find success in written and broadcast journalism. Previous written work can be found at Unafraid Show, while broadcast clips can be seen on WAVE.tv and CBS Sports.

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Published02 May 2025

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich stands and stares.

Gregg Popovich will no longer coach the San Antonio Spurs, as he transitions into a role in the front office. Popovich leaves the sidelines as one of five NBA head coaches who have won at least five championships.

Gregg Popovich Leaving Coaching For Front Office

It’s the end of an era in San Antonio.

The Spurs announced that Popovich will no longer coach the Spurs. The Basketball Hall of Famer will transition into a full-time role as the team’s president of basketball operations.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff, and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach, and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community, and city that are so meaningful to me.”

In November 2024, Popovich suffered a stroke that led to an indefinite leave of absence. In February, Popovich announced he would no longer coach the team for the remainder of the season.

Assistant Mitch Johnson, who took over for Popovich in the interim, officially takes over as head coach. Johnson led the Spurs to a 31-45 record in Popovich’s absence.

After six seasons as an NBA assistant, Popovich was named the Spurs’ general manager and vice president of basketball operations in 1994.

After the Spurs started 3-15 in 1996, Popovich fired Bob Hill and named himself as head coach, a position he would hold for 29 years.

Popovich ends his career as the NBA’s winningest coach with a record of 1,422-869.

NBA Coaches With Five Championships

During his 29 seasons with the Spurs, Popovich won five NBA championships: 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014.

Popovich’s five championships are tied with Pat Riley and John Kundla.

Only five head coaches have won five or more NBA championships:

  • Phil Jackson (11): Chicago Bulls (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998) and Los Angeles Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010)
  • Red Auerbach (9): Boston Celtics (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966)
  • John Kundla (5): Minneapolis Lakers (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954)
  • Pat Riley (5): Los Angeles Lakers (1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988) and Miami Heat (2006)
  • Gregg Popovich (5): San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014)