After nearly three decades of orchestrating greatness from the sidelines, Gregg Popovich has finally traded in the clipboard, but not the crown. The five-time NBA champion officially stepped down as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs after 29 seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest minds the game has ever seen.
But make no mistake: Pop isn’t disappearing. In fact, he’s embracing his next chapter with trademark wit and authority.
“I’m no longer coach. I’m El Jefe.”
Gregg Popovich:
“I’m no longer coach, I’m El Jefe.”
😭❤️ (via @sportingnews)pic.twitter.com/Fakzy8VXRA
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 5, 2025
That statement wasn’t just a quip. Pop arrived at the team facility wearing a custom shirt proudly emblazoned with “El Jefe” across the chest, and on the back, it read: “Señor Popovich, President of Basketball Operations.”
It was a cheeky but fitting nod to his new role, one that will keep him deeply involved in the Spurs’ rebuild, even if he’s no longer the one drawing up inbound plays.
Tributes to the 75-year-old legend flooded in from across the league. Draymond Green, known for his fire and candor, delivered a heartfelt salute.
Even the normally stoic Kawhi Leonard, who once forced his way out of San Antonio, couldn’t hide the respect he still holds for the coach who mentored him into an NBA Finals MVP.
Beyond the accolades and banners, Popovich’s fingerprints are all over today’s NBA. His coaching tree is one of the most expansive in league history. Former assistants like Mike Budenholzer, Brett Brown, Monty Williams, and Ime Udoka have all gone on to become successful head coaches in their own right.
Even some of his former players, Steve Kerr, Jacque Vaughn, and Becky Hammon, who became the first woman to coach a pro men’s team in a summer league, carry forward the “Spurs Way.”
Popovich’s success was never just about wins. It was about culture, accountability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He led the Spurs to 1,422 regular-season wins, most in NBA history, all while treating his players like family and insisting on dinner-table conversations over cell phones.
Now, as El Jefe, Pop will continue shaping the franchise’s future from the top. His fingerprints will be on every draft pick, every free-agent signing, and every decision that defines this next era of Spurs basketball, one that now centers around rising phenom Victor Wembanyama.
Gregg Popovich’s coaching journey may be complete, but his influence on the game and the Spurs organization remains as powerful as ever. Long live El Jefe.
