Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gregg Popovich

Discover the career path of Gregg Popovich, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Gregg Popovich, or "Coach Pop," is the long-tenured head coach and president of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. He joined the Spurs organization in 1994 and became head coach in 1996. Popovich holds the NBA record for most coaching wins and is considered one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He is known for his leadership, strategic coaching, and player development, having led the Spurs to multiple NBA championships.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1970: Graduation from the Air Force Academy

In 1970, Gregg Popovich graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor's degree in Soviet studies, concluding his time playing on the Air Force Falcons men's basketball team where he was captain and leading scorer.

1972: Captain of Armed Forces Team

In 1972, Gregg Popovich was selected as captain of the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team, which went on to win the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. He also received an invitation to the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials.

1973: Returns to Air Force Academy as Assistant Coach

In 1973, Gregg Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach under head basketball coach Hank Egan. During this time, Popovich also earned a master's degree in physical education and sports sciences from the University of Denver.

1979: Named Head Coach of Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens

In 1979, Gregg Popovich was named the head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, the joint men's basketball team of Pomona College and Pitzer College in Claremont, California.

1985: Volunteer Assistant at Kansas

In 1985, Gregg Popovich took off the 1985–86 season at Pomona-Pitzer to become a volunteer assistant at the University of Kansas, studying directly under head coach Larry Brown.

1987: Joins Spurs as Assistant Coach

Following the 1987–88 season, Gregg Popovich joined Larry Brown as the lead assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.

1988: Starts in the NBA

In 1988, Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford both got their starts in the NBA as assistants on Larry Brown's coaching staff with the Spurs.

1988: End of Coaching Tenure at Pomona-Pitzer

In 1988, Gregg Popovich's tenure as head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens concluded, during which he led the team to its first outright title in 68 years.

1992: Moves to Golden State Warriors

In 1992, Gregg Popovich moved to the Golden State Warriors, serving as an assistant under Don Nelson after being fired from the Spurs.

1994: Returns to San Antonio Spurs as General Manager

In 1994, Gregg Popovich returned to the San Antonio Spurs as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations after Peter Holt purchased the team. He signed Avery Johnson as the team's starting point guard and traded Dennis Rodman to the Chicago Bulls for Will Perdue.

December 10, 1996: Popovich Becomes Spurs Head Coach

On December 10, 1996, after a 3-15 start to the 1996-97 season, Gregg Popovich fired coach Bob Hill and named himself head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.

1997: Spurs Draft Tim Duncan

In 1997, after a disastrous season, the San Antonio Spurs secured the first overall pick in the NBA draft and selected Tim Duncan from Wake Forest University.

1997: Spurs Recover to Win 56 Games

In 1997-1998, the Spurs recovered to win 56 games, marking Popovich's first full year as coach.

1998: Spurs Recover to Win 56 Games

In 1997-1998, the Spurs recovered to win 56 games, marking Popovich's first full year as coach.

1999: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 1999, Gregg Popovich coached the San Antonio Spurs to another NBA Championship.

1999: Spurs Win First NBA Title

In 1999, Gregg Popovich led the San Antonio Spurs to their first NBA title.

2002: Relinquishes General Manager Position

In 2002, Gregg Popovich relinquished his position as general manager to R. C. Buford, who had served as the team's head scout.

2002: Assistant Coach for U.S. Men's National Team

In 2002, Gregg Popovich served on the coaching staff for the U.S. men's national team during the FIBA World Championship, assisting George Karl.

2003: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2003, Gregg Popovich coached the San Antonio Spurs to another NBA Championship.

2003: Assistant Coach for U.S. Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2003, Gregg Popovich served on the coaching staff for the U.S. men's national team during the FIBA America Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

2004: Assistant Coach for U.S. Olympic Team

In 2004, Gregg Popovich served on the coaching staff for the U.S. Olympic team (assisting Larry Brown) at the Athens Olympic Games, where the team won the bronze medal.

2005: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2005, Gregg Popovich led the San Antonio Spurs to another NBA Championship.

2006: Tribute to Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, after the death of Kobe Bryant, Gregg Popovich proposed that both teams take an intentional 24-second shot clock violation on each of their first possessions to pay homage to Bryant's jersey number 24, which Kobe Bryant donned from 2006 to 2016.

2007: Spurs Win NBA Championship

In 2007, Gregg Popovich coached the San Antonio Spurs to another NBA Championship.

2011: Wins Second Coach of the Year Award

In 2011, Gregg Popovich coached the Spurs to the Coach of the Year Award.

May 2, 2012: Wins Second Coach of the Year Award

On May 2, 2012, Gregg Popovich won his second Coach of the Year Award for the 2011–12 NBA season.

November 29, 2012: Sits Out Starters Against Miami Heat

On November 29, 2012, Gregg Popovich sat out starters Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginóbili, and Danny Green for a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat, leading to a $250,000 fine from the NBA.

2012: Named NBA Coach of the Year

In 2012, Gregg Popovich was named NBA Coach of the Year for the second time.

2013: Spurs Lose in NBA Finals

In 2013, Gregg Popovich led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals to face the Miami Heat, but the Spurs lost in seven games.

April 22, 2014: Wins Third NBA Coach of the Year Award

On April 22, 2014, Gregg Popovich was awarded the Red Auerbach Trophy as he won the NBA Coach of the Year for the third time.

2014: Spurs Win NBA Championship and Popovich Named Coach of the Year

In 2014, Gregg Popovich led the San Antonio Spurs to another NBA Championship and was named NBA Coach of the Year for the third time.

February 9, 2015: Wins 1,000th Game

On February 9, 2015, Gregg Popovich became the ninth coach in NBA history to win 1,000 games when the Spurs defeated the Indiana Pacers 95–93.

August 1, 2015: Head Coach of Team Africa

On August 1, 2015, Gregg Popovich served as Team Africa's head coach at the 2015 NBA Africa exhibition game.

October 23, 2015: Named Head Coach of U.S. Men's National Team

On October 23, 2015, Gregg Popovich was named the head coach of the U.S. men's national team, taking over from Mike Krzyzewski after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

2015: Spurs Achieve Franchise-High 67 Wins

In the 2015–16 season, Gregg Popovich led the Spurs to a franchise-high 67 wins, but lost in the conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2016: Tribute to Kobe Bryant

2016: Named Head Coach of U.S. Men's National Team

On October 23, 2015, Gregg Popovich was named the head coach of the U.S. men's national team, taking over from Mike Krzyzewski after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

February 4, 2017: Surpasses Sloan for Regular Season Wins with One Franchise

On February 4, 2017, Gregg Popovich recorded his 1,128th regular season win with one franchise, surpassing Jerry Sloan.

2017: Expresses Support for Women's March

In 2017, Gregg Popovich expressed his support for the Women's March, speaking out on behalf of social justice issues.

April 13, 2019: Becomes All-Time Winningest Coach in NBA History

On April 13, 2019, Gregg Popovich surpassed Lenny Wilkens and became the all-time winningest coach in NBA history with his 1,413th win (regular season and playoffs combined).

2019: U.S. National Team Finishes Seventh in World Cup

In the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Gregg Popovich coached the U.S. national team to a seventh-place finish, its worst ever in international competition.

January 26, 2020: Tribute to Kobe Bryant

2020: Endorses Joe Biden

In 2020, Gregg Popovich endorsed Joe Biden in the presidential election, continuing his outspokenness on social and political issues.

2020: Leads U.S. Men's National Team to Gold Medal

In 2020, Gregg Popovich led the U.S. men's national team to a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, defeating France 87–82 in the final.

March 27, 2021: Wins 1,300th Regular Season Game

On March 27, 2021, Gregg Popovich won his 1,300th regular season game, becoming the third NBA coach to reach the milestone after leading the Spurs to victory against the Chicago Bulls.

March 11, 2022: Surpasses Don Nelson for Most Regular Season Wins

On March 11, 2022, Gregg Popovich surpassed Don Nelson for most regular season wins of all time, notching his 1,336th regular season victory with the Spurs.