Gregg Popovich Health Update: Stroke, Retirement, and Role

For 29 seasons, Gregg Popovich was the face of the San Antonio Spurs, a sideline presence so constant it felt permanent. Then, in late 2024, a stroke sidelined the NBA’s winningest coach, setting off a chain of events that redefined his relationship with the franchise — and left fans wondering what comes next for the man they call “Pop.”

Age: 77 (born January 28, 1949) ·
NBA championships: 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) ·
Coaching wins: Regular season 1,396, playoff 170 (NBA all-time leader) ·
Hall of Fame: Inducted 2023 ·
Net worth: Estimated $80 million ·
Height: 6’2″

Here are the key facts about Gregg Popovich’s career and personal life.

What’s happening with Gregg Popovich?

Gregg Popovich’s transition to Spurs president

The most significant change in Popovich’s professional life came on May 2, 2025, when the San Antonio Spurs announced he would step down as head coach and move into the role of president of basketball operations. ESPN reported that he would remain with the organization in this new capacity. At a press conference on May 5, 2025, his first public appearance after the stroke, Popovich addressed his health and said he believed it was time to step down as head coach. The Guardian captured his words:

I’m El Jefe now.

Fans react to recent video of Popovich using a cane

In May 2026, a video surfaced online that appeared to show Popovich using a cane while walking. The footage spread quickly on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans — a blend of concern and support for his ongoing recovery. No official statement from the Spurs organization has addressed the video directly, and its source has not been independently verified by major news outlets.

What is known about his health recovery

The Spurs have described Popovich’s stroke as “mild” in official statements, NBA.com reported. He has been undergoing physical therapy since the event. Popovich said in February 2025 that he hoped to return to coaching in the future while focusing on his health, though that timeline shifted as his recovery continued. The full extent of any lasting impairments has not been publicly disclosed.

When did Gregg Popovich have a stroke?

Date and details of the stroke

The NBA community learned in November 2024 that Popovich had suffered a mild stroke. The Spurs confirmed the news, stating he had been away from the team during recovery. NBA.com reported on February 27, 2025, that Popovich said he would not return to coach the team for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

How the stroke affected his coaching career

The stroke effectively ended Popovich’s active coaching tenure. He missed the remainder of the 2024-25 season as he focused on recovery. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson took over on an interim basis, guiding the team to a 32-45 record in the portion of the season after Popovich’s absence, The Athletic reported. That 32-45 stretch effectively became Popovich’s final season as coach.

Popovich’s absence from the sidelines

Popovich last coached a game on October 31, 2024, according to fan community reports. From that point, he was absent from the sidelines entirely. The sight of the Spurs bench without Popovich — a constant since 1996 — marked a surreal moment for NBA fans and players alike.

The trade-off: Popovich’s health took precedence over his coaching legacy, but the Spurs organization built a succession plan that allowed him to step away without leaving the franchise.

Is Gregg Popovich retired?

Retirement from coaching vs. full retirement

Yes, Popovich has retired from coaching — but he has not retired from basketball. The distinction matters. On May 2, 2025, the Spurs announced his transition from head coach to president of basketball operations. The Washington Post confirmed his coaching tenure ended after 29 seasons with the Spurs.

His current role as team president

As president of basketball operations, Popovich oversees the Spurs’ basketball strategy, player personnel decisions, and organizational direction. USA Today reported that he remains with the organization rather than leaving the franchise entirely. His new title — “El Jefe” (The Boss) — reflects the empowerment and authority he now holds in the front office.

What he said about retirement

In February 2025, Popovich expressed hope about returning to coaching — but by May, his perspective had shifted. At the May 5 press conference, he acknowledged his health situation candidly: it was time to hand over the coaching reins. He did not rule out future involvement in basketball operations, but the coaching chapter is definitively closed.

The catch: Popovich retired from coaching but not from the Spurs. He remains one of the most influential figures in the NBA, just one seat over from the bench.

What illness does Gregg Popovich have?

Details of the stroke as the primary illness

The primary health event affecting Popovich is a mild stroke suffered in November 2024. The Spurs’ official statement described it as “mild,” and NBA.com has consistently used that term. A mild stroke, also known as a transient ischemic attack in some cases, occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily interrupted. Recovery varies widely by individual.

Other health concerns at age 77

Beyond the stroke, Popovich has no other known chronic illness publicly disclosed. At age 77, recovery from any significant health event requires more time than it might for a younger person. The Spurs have been intentionally vague about the specifics of his ongoing recovery, citing medical privacy.

Recovery process and prognosis

Popovich continues physical therapy. Reports indicate he is making progress, though an unverified 2026 video showing him using a cane suggests mobility remains a challenge. The Guardian reported in February 2025 that Popovich was not expected to return to San Antonio that season while recovering from the stroke. No public timeline exists for a “full” recovery, and medical experts caution that outcomes depend on individual factors.

The implication: For a man who spent 29 years as one of the most active and engaged NBA coaches, the recovery process represents a profound life adjustment — one the Spurs have supported with patience and discretion.

Why did Gregg Popovich leave the San Antonio Spurs?

Health reasons behind his departure

Popovich left his coaching role solely because of health reasons. The stroke in November 2024 made it impossible for him to maintain the grueling demands of an 82-game NBA season. NBA.com reported that he would not return for the 2024-25 season, and the trajectory from there led to his coaching retirement in May 2025.

Timeline of his final season

Popovich’s final season as head coach was the 2024-25 campaign — a season in which he coached only one month. His last game was October 31, 2024. The stroke followed shortly after. He officially stepped down on May 2, 2025, ending a tenure that began in 1996.

Legacy and impact on Spurs organization

Popovich’s legacy is unassailable. He won five NBA championships, was named Coach of the Year three times, and holds the NBA record for most coaching wins — 1,422 total victories according to The Athletic. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. He also coached Team USA to an Olympic gold medal.

The pattern: Popovich’s departure from coaching was not a resignation — it was a strategic repositioning driven by health, designed to preserve his influence within the franchise he built.

Timeline

• January 28, 1949: Born in East Chicago, Indiana
• 1996: Named head coach of San Antonio Spurs
• 1999: Won first NBA championship
• 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014: Won additional championships (total 5)
• 2023: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
• November 2024: Suffered a stroke; begins medical leave
• 2024–25 season: Missed remainder of season due to recovery
• May 2025: Retired from coaching; appointed president of basketball operations
• May 2026: Video surfaces of Popovich using a cane; fans react

Frequently asked questions

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