History of Gregg Popovich in Timeline

Gregg Popovich, or "Coach Pop", is the long-tenured head coach and president of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Joining the Spurs in 1994 and becoming coach in 1996, he holds the record for the most wins by any coach in NBA history. He is considered one of the greatest coaches in the league, known for his leadership and success with the Spurs.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 28, 1949: Gregg Popovich's birth

On January 28, 1949, Gregg Charles Popovich was born. He is now a professional basketball coach and executive for the San Antonio Spurs.

Others born on this day/year

1966: Graduated from Merrillville High School

In 1966, Popovich graduated from Merrillville High School.

1970: Graduated from the Air Force Academy

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

1972: Named captain of Armed Forces Team

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

1973: Returned to the Air Force Academy as assistant coach

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

1979: Named head coach of Pomona-Pitzer

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: Became volunteer assistant at Kansas

In 1985, Popovich took off the season at Pomona-Pitzer to become a volunteer assistant at the University of Kansas, where he studied under Larry Brown.

1987: Joined Spurs as lead assistant coach

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

1988: Joined Brown as assistant for the Spurs

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

1988: Got start in NBA

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

1988: Left Pomona-Pitzer

In 1988, Popovich ended his tenure as coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, after leading the team to its first outright title in 68 years.

1992: Moved to Golden State Warriors as assistant coach

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

1994: Joined the Spurs organization

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

1994: Returned 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. One of his first moves was to sign Avery Johnson.

December 10, 1996: Fired Bob Hill and became Spurs head coach

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

1996: Kobe Bryant Wore Jersey Number 8

From 1996 to 2006 Kobe Bryant wore jersey number 8 and, after his death, teams took an 8-second backcourt violation in his memory on January 26, 2020, which Popovich proposed.

1996: Became head coach of the Spurs

In 1996, Gregg Popovich took over as the head coach for the San Antonio Spurs.

1997: Duncan joined the Spurs

In 1997, Tim Duncan joined David Robinson to form the "Twin Towers" offense and defense for the Spurs.

1997: Drafted Tim Duncan

In 1997, the Spurs' poor performance that season allowed them the first overall pick in the NBA draft, which they used to draft Tim Duncan.

1998: Won 56 games

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

1999: Won first NBA title

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

2002: Relinquished position as general manager

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

2002: Served on coaching staff for U.S. men's national team

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

2003: Assisted in FIBA America Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament

In 2003, Popovich assisted during the FIBA America Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

2003: Won NBA Coach of the Year and another NBA Championship

In 2003, Popovich was named NBA Coach of the Year and won another NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

2004: Assisted at the Olympics, winning bronze

In 2004, Popovich assisted during the Athens Olympic Games where the U.S. team won the bronze medal.

2005: Won NBA Championship

In 2005, Popovich won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

2006: Kobe Bryant's Jersey Change

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

2007: Won NBA Championship

In 2007, Popovich won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

April 4, 2008: Received Distinguished Graduate Award

On April 4, 2008, Popovich received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

2011: Coach of the Year Award consideration

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

May 2, 2012: Won second Coach of the Year Award

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

November 29, 2012: Sat out starters in game against Miami Heat

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

2012: Named NBA Coach of the Year

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

April 22, 2014: Awarded the Red Auerbach Trophy

On April 22, 2014, Popovich was awarded the Red Auerbach Trophy as he won the NBA Coach of the Year for the third time. He also won his fifth NBA championship that season.

2014: Won NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Championship

In 2014, Popovich was named NBA Coach of the Year and won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs.

February 9, 2015: Won 1,000th game

On February 9, 2015, 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: Coached Team Africa at exhibition game

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, taking over from Mike Krzyzewski after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

2015: Led Spurs to franchise-high wins

In the 2015-16 season, Popovich led the Spurs to a franchise-high 67 wins.

2016: Kobe Bryant's Jersey Change

2016: Taking over US Men's National Team

On October 23, 2015, 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: Surpassed Sloan for regular season wins with one franchise

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 publicly voiced his support for social justice issues, including his endorsement of the 2017 Women's March.

April 18, 2018: Death of Erin Popovich

On April 18, 2018, Erin Popovich, Gregg Popovich's wife of 42 years, passed away.

April 13, 2019: Became 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

At the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the U.S. national team finished in seventh place, its worst finish ever in international competition.

January 26, 2020: Honoring Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, following the death of Kobe Bryant, 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. This violation tribute would subsequently be executed at the beginning of nearly every game around the league over the rest of that day and the following days, with other teams also deciding to take an 8-second backcourt violation.

2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In 2020, Gregg Popovich publicly endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

2020: Coached US Olympic team

In 2020, Popovich was the head coach of the U.S. national team at the Summer Olympics, leading the team to a gold medal.

2020: Led U.S. men's national team to gold medal

With Popovich serving as the head coach for the U.S. men's national team, he led the team to a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, defeating France 87–82 in the final.

March 27, 2021: Won 1,300th regular season game

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

March 11, 2022: Surpassed Don Nelson for most regular season wins

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

July 8, 2023: Signed five-year 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.

2023: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2023, Gregg Popovich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

November 2, 2024: Took Leave of Absence

On November 2, 2024, Popovich reportedly experienced a "health issue", necessitating a leave of absence.

February 22, 2025: Uncertain coaching future

On February 22, 2025, it was announced that it was unlikely that Popovich would return during the 2024–25 season and that his coaching future was "uncertain".