Gregg Popovich done coaching Spurs - What's next in San Antonio? - ESPN

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

Popovich, 76, ends his coaching tenure as the league's career wins leader with 1,422 regular-season victories and has five championships and an NBA record-tying three Coach of the Year awards. Enter Mitch Johnson, who was named acting head coach after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November and will now take over coaching duties on a permanent basis.

We asked our NBA insiders the big questions following the Spurs and Popovich's decision, including how it came to this, what's next for the franchise and what Johnson brings to the role as San Antonio looks to open a contending window led by budding superstar Victor Wembanyama, guard De'Aaron Fox and newly minted Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle.

The Spurs were determined that Popovich had earned the right to decide when the time was right to step away. Popovich was adamant that he would come back only if he felt he could physically do the job. He still had a desire to coach, saying in recent years that he felt invigorated by working with young players eager to learn.

But ultimately, Popovich decided he needed to shift into a supportive role with Johnson, whom he was very fond of and high on as his successor.

--Ramona Shelburne

There is relief and clarity. Popovich was definitely mulling continuing to coach these past few months, which is why his announcement that he wouldn't return during the season didn't say anything about his future. But he is NBA royalty and there was concern about the legendary coach's health. After an incident recently that required a trip to the hospital, there was even more