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 a highly successful American basketball executive and former coach. He served as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs for 29 seasons (1996-2025), leading them to five NBA championships. Popovich holds the NBA record for most coaching wins and is considered one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. He joined the Spurs organization in 1994, initially as president of basketball operations and general manager, before becoming head coach in 1996.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1972: Named Captain of Armed Forces Team

In 1972, Popovich was selected as captain of the Armed Forces Team, which won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship, leading to an invitation to the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials.

1973: Returns to Air Force Academy as Assistant Coach

In 1973, Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy as an assistant coach and earned a master's degree in physical education and sports sciences from the University of Denver during his time there.

1979: Named Head Coach of Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens

In 1979, Popovich was named the head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens.

1985: Volunteer Assistant at Kansas

In 1985, Popovich became a volunteer assistant at the University of Kansas to study under head coach Larry Brown.

1987: Joins Spurs as Assistant Coach

In 1987, Popovich joined the Spurs as the lead assistant coach under Larry Brown.

1988: Assistant Coach for Spurs

In 1988, Popovich became an assistant coach for the Spurs, working under head coach Larry Brown.

1988: End of Coaching at Pomona-Pitzer

In 1988, Popovich ended his tenure as the coach for the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens.

1988: Starts in the NBA

In 1988, Popovich got his start in the NBA as an assistant on Browns' coaching staff with the Spurs.

1992: Moves to Golden State Warriors

In 1992, Popovich moved to the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach under Don Nelson.

1994: Popovich Joins Spurs Organization

In 1994, Gregg Popovich became a member of the Spurs organization as president of basketball operations and general manager.

1994: Returns to San Antonio as General Manager

In 1994, Popovich returned to San Antonio as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations after Peter Holt purchased the team.

December 10, 1996: Popovich Fires Bob Hill and Becomes Head Coach

On December 10, 1996, Popovich fired coach Bob Hill and named himself head coach of the Spurs.

1996: Popovich becomes Spurs Head Coach

In 1996, Gregg Popovich took over as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, a position he held for 29 seasons.

1997: Duncan joins Robinson on the Spurs

In 1997, Tim Duncan joins David Robinson on the Spurs leading to them later being known as the "Twin Towers".

1997: Spurs Draft Tim Duncan

In 1997, after a disastrous season, the Spurs drafted Tim Duncan, who would later become a key player for the team.

1998: 56 Game Win Season

In 1998, Popovich's first full year as coach, the spurs recovered to win 56 games.

1999: First Championship with the Spurs

In 1999, Popovich won his first NBA championship with the Spurs.

1999: First NBA Championship

In 1999, the Spurs, under Popovich, won their first NBA title.

2002: Relinquishes General Manager Position

In 2002, Popovich relinquished his position as general manager to R. C. Buford.

2002: Assistant Coach for FIBA World Championship

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

2003: Second Championship and Coach of the Year

In 2003, Popovich secured his second NBA championship with the Spurs and was named NBA Coach of the Year.

2003: Assistant Coach for FIBA America Tournament

In 2003, 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 Olympic Games

In 2004, Popovich served on the coaching staff for the U.S. men's national team during the Athens Olympic Games, where the team won the bronze medal.

2005: Third Championship with the Spurs

In 2005, Popovich won his third NBA championship with the Spurs.

2007: Fourth Championship with the Spurs

In 2007, Popovich won his fourth NBA championship with the Spurs.

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

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

2012: NBA Coach of the Year

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

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

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

2014: Fifth Championship and Coach of the Year

In 2014, Popovich won his fifth NBA championship with the Spurs and was also named NBA Coach of the Year for the third time.

February 9, 2015: Reaches 1,000 Wins

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

August 1, 2015: Coaches Team Africa

On August 1, 2015, 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, Popovich was named the head coach of the U.S. men's national team, succeeding Mike Krzyzewski after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

2015: Franchise-High Wins and Conference Semifinals Loss

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

2016: Rio Olympic Games

In 2016, Popovich was named the head coach of the U.S. men's national team, succeeding Mike Krzyzewski after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

February 4, 2017: Surpasses Sloan for Regular Season Wins

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

2017: Support for Women's March

In 2017, Gregg Popovich voiced his support for the Women's March.

April 13, 2019: All-Time Winningest Coach

On April 13, 2019, 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: Worst Finish in International Competition

In 2019, at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the U.S. national team finished in seventh place, its worst finish ever in international competition, with Popovich as head coach.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Gregg Popovich endorsed Joe Biden in the U.S. presidential election and also repeatedly criticized the behavior of U.S. President Donald Trump during his first term in office.

2020: Popovich Coaches US Olympic Team to Gold

In 2020, Popovich coached the U.S. national team at the Summer Olympics, leading them to a gold medal.

2020: Leads Team USA to Gold

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

March 27, 2021: Reaches 1,300 Regular-Season Wins

On March 27, 2021, Popovich won his 1,300th regular-season game, becoming the third NBA coach to reach this milestone.

March 11, 2022: Most Regular-Season Wins

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

July 8, 2023: Signs Contract Extension

On July 8, 2023, Popovich signed a five-year contract extension with the Spurs, keeping him with the franchise through the 2027-28 season.

May 2, 2025: Steps down as Spurs Coach

On May 2, 2025, Popovich stepped down as coach of the Spurs after 29 seasons and transitioned to a new role as president of basketball operations, with Mitch Johnson succeeding him as head coach.

2025: End of Coaching Career

In 2025, Popovich ended his 29 season tenure as head coach for the Spurs.

2025: Transition to Front Office Role

In 2025, after 29 seasons as head coach of the Spurs, Popovich stepped down and transitioned into a front office role as the team's president of basketball operations.