Gregg Popovich

Gregg Popovich
Popovich speaking at the White House in 2015
San Antonio Spurs
PositionHead coach
President
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1949-01-28) January 28, 1949 (age 75)
East Chicago, Indiana, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
High schoolMerrillville (Merrillville, Indiana)
CollegeAir Force (1966–1970)
PositionGuard
Coaching career1973–present
Career history
As coach:
1973–1979Air Force (assistant)
1979–1986Pomona-Pitzer
1986–1987Kansas (assistant)
1987–1988Pomona-Pitzer
19881992San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
19921994Golden State Warriors (assistant)
1996–presentSan Antonio Spurs
Career highlights and awards
As head coach:
Basketball Hall of Fame
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Head coach for the  United States
Gold medal – first place 2020 Tokyo Team
Assistant coach for the  United States
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Athens Men's basketball
FIBA Americas Championship
Assistant coach for the  United States
Gold medal – first place 2003 San Juan Men's basketball

Gregg Charles Popovich (born January 28, 1949)[1] is an American professional basketball coach and executive who is the president and head coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Popovich has been a member of the Spurs organization since 1994, as president of basketball operations and general manager before taking over as coach of the Spurs in 1996. Popovich is the longest tenured active coach in the NBA as well as all other major sports leagues in the United States. Nicknamed "Coach Pop", Popovich has the most wins of any coach in NBA history,[2][3] and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.[4][5]

Popovich led the Spurs to a winning record in his first 22 full seasons as head coach, surpassing Phil Jackson for the most consecutive winning seasons in NBA history. During his tenure, the Spurs have had a winning record against every other NBA team, being a key figure of the sustained success of the Spurs throughout the 1990s, the 2000s, and most of the 2010s.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Popovich has led the Spurs to all five of their NBA titles, and is one of only five coaches in NBA history to have won five titles. He was also the head coach of the U.S. national team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, leading the team to a gold medal. In 2023, Popovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[12]

  1. ^ John Grasso (November 15, 2010). Historical Dictionary of Basketball. Scarecrow Press. pp. 299–. ISBN 978-0-8108-7506-7.
  2. ^ "Gregg Popovich Named 2017–20 USA National Team Head Coach". USA Basketball. October 23, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "2018–19 Official NBA Guide" (PDF). NBA.com. p. 197. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2019. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Wetzel, Dan (June 14, 2007). "French connection". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
  5. ^ "Devin Brown And Coach Pop Spread Message To Local Youth". NBA.com. February 1, 2004. Archived from the original on July 27, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  6. ^ "The Top Ranked Pro Basketball Head Coaches of the 2000s". www.ainsworthsports.com. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "San Antonio Spurs: Gregg Popovich's influence is painted over the Finals". Air Alamo. May 31, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Dimmitt, Zach (June 10, 2022). "Today in Spurs History: Big 3 Dominate, Take Game 2 of NBA Finals Over LeBron's Cavs". Fan Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Dougherty, Jack (June 1, 2020). "Gregg Popovich Turned His Incredible Coaching Success Into a Massive Net Worth". Sportscasting | Pure Sports. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  10. ^ Wolkenbrod, Rob. "Spurs' Gregg Popovich Takes Another Leap Into Greatness". Forbes. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  11. ^ Roberson, Lance (February 20, 2023). "Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich Named Among 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists". Fan Nation. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  12. ^ "Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade headline Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2023". NBA.com. Associated Press. April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.