Gregg Popovich done coaching Spurs; Mitch Johnson takes over - ESPN

Basketball Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich will no longer coach the San Antonio Spurs and is transitioning to a full-time role as the team's president of basketball operations, the team announced Friday.

Mitch Johnson, who was named acting head coach after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, now takes over head coaching duties on a permanent basis.

Popovich has been involved with the team and present at San Antonio's facility in recent days, and will continue to be a vital member of the franchise's day-to-day operations, sources told ESPN. As much as he wanted to return to his place on the sideline, he came to the conclusion that he no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach. He has been making steady progress with his health in recovery from the November stroke, sources added.

«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.»

Johnson, who led San Antonio to a 31-45 record in Popovich's absence, spent the past decade as an assistant with the Spurs organization. After a standout collegiate career at Stanford, he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA G League affiliate and went on to play professionally for three years in the G League and abroad. He then joined the Spurs as an assistant coach for the team's Austin G League team in 2016.

By choosing Johnson as the new coach, the Spurs maintain the continuity and through line laid out by Popovich and CEO