The National Basketball Association has officially adjusted Gregg Popovich`s career coaching record, removing the 77 games he was absent for last season from his personal win-loss tally. The 32-45 record accumulated during this period is now credited to Mitch Johnson, who served as the interim coach while Popovich was recovering from a stroke and has since been named the permanent head coach.
Even after this record adjustment, Popovich retains his position as the NBA`s all-time leader in coaching victories. His revised record with the San Antonio Spurs now stands at 1,390 wins and 824 losses, following the exclusion of the 77 games he missed last season. Popovich announced his retirement from coaching at the conclusion of the recent season, at which point the Spurs organization promptly appointed Johnson to the full-time head coaching role.
`While my love and passion for the game remain, I`ve decided it`s time to step away as head coach,` Popovich said upon his retirement. `I`m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.`
The change in record did not displace Popovich from the top spot on the career wins leaderboard. In fact, it resulted in a slight increase to his career winning percentage, raising it from .621 to .628.
NBA Coaches with Most Career Wins (Adjusted)
| Coach | Wins |
|---|---|
| Gregg Popovich | 1,390 |
| Don Nelson | 1,335 |
| Lenny Wilkens | 1,332 |
| Jerry Sloan | 1,221 |
| Pat Riley | 1,210 |
Popovich continues to be involved with the Spurs organization, serving as the team president. The 76-year-old dedicated his entire NBA head coaching career to San Antonio, guiding the franchise to five championships in what is widely considered one of the most successful and enduring tenures in the history of American professional sports. Beyond the NBA, he also coached the USA Basketball national team, leading them to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
His role in the front office allows Popovich to maintain his connection to the sport despite the health issues that led to his coaching hiatus. He joins a distinguished group of legendary coaches, including figures like Pat Riley and Phil Jackson, who have transitioned into executive positions after their coaching careers. Popovich is an esteemed Hall of Fame inductee and is recognized as one of the most influential and defining figures of the modern NBA era.
`Gregg Popovich`s sustained success as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs is incomparable,` NBA commissioner Adam Silver said after Popovich`s retirement. `In addition to his many accolades, including five NBA championships, the most wins in league history and an Olympics gold medal, Coach Pop has developed generations of players and coaches and been a driving force behind the global growth of basketball.`
Jasper Hawthorne