NBA World Pays Tribute to Gregg Popovich After He Steps Down As Spurs' Coach

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For the first time this century, the San Antonio Spurs will be looking for a new head coach after Gregg Popovich is reportedly stepping down from the position.

Popovich, 76, is transitioning to a full-time role as the team's president of basketball operations, ESPN reported Friday.

Popovich, the league's all-time winningest coach, was hired back in 1996 and has helped lead the Spurs to five NBA titles and guide the careers of countless All-Stars and NBA champions. His final season in San Antonio was more bitter than sweet, as it saw him unfortunately suffer a mild stroke on Nov. 2 which kept him from coaching for the rest of the year.

The Spurs legend will reportedly "continue to be a vital member of the franchise's day-to-day operations," but the sudden end of his coaching tenure has hit the NBA world particularly hard.

Fans across social media poured one out and shared their emotional tributes to one of basketball's very best:

Thanks for everything, Pop. Greatest coach of all-time. A true legend. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6rVtWFmF75

— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) May 2, 2025

Congrats on the career Coach Pop!!
Flowers!! 💐 I’ve observed your approach to coaching and to the game and I applied the same approach to life at times and came out a winner every time. Thx Coach! I just might have to Popavich! Shut yo mouth. I’m just talmbout Pop!

— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) May 2, 2025

Salute to the greatest coach in NBA history, full stop. https://t.co/8fhIP4GCQI

— Rob Mahoney (@RobMahoney) May 2, 2025

Tremendous run, tremendous man - so glad he will still be involved with the team. https://t.co/wJlvgBzJUb

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 2, 2025

I hate how it ended. Forever grateful for his work on the court. More so for the work off it https://t.co/a8MDFrhy3r

— Markus Garcia (@Markusgarcia19) May 2, 2025

pouring one out for you goat best to ever do it https://t.co/Sfyc23A9z8 https://t.co/o2yKSZl4ac

— ben (@wembuckets) May 2, 2025

Thank you Coach https://t.co/8spQsjKo3I pic.twitter.com/eHCeHJGjKA

— Spurs Era (@EraSpurs) May 2, 2025

https://t.co/nQztObQcUE pic.twitter.com/B51mHaE1TV

— Spence Needle (@spencerhawes00) May 2, 2025

Thank you for everything, Coach Pop.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as NBA World Pays Tribute to Gregg Popovich After He Steps Down As Spurs' Coach.