In a move that few could have predicted, Mitch Johnson has been named the new head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. The decision comes after legendary coach Gregg Popovich, who has led the team since 1996, announced he would step down from his coaching duties and focus solely on his role as president of basketball operations. Johnson, who served as the acting coach for the final 77 games of the 2023-2024 season, will officially take over as head coach going forward.
The announcement was made on Friday, marking the beginning of a new era for the Spurs. Johnson will be formally introduced on Monday in San Antonio, a city where he has become a key figure over the past decade. Reflecting on his journey, Johnson acknowledged that his path to this moment was unexpected, even by his own standards.
“When I took the opportunity to join the Austin Spurs over nine years ago, I had no idea that opportunity was in front of me,” Johnson shared at the conclusion of the regular season. “Sometimes, the biggest moments in life come from the least likely spots. And that’s certainly been true for me.”
The Spurs are an organization known for valuing continuity, stability, and a clear basketball philosophy—the “Spurs way.” So, it is no surprise that Johnson, who has been with the team for nearly a decade, was chosen to lead the franchise forward. His time within the organization, particularly his tenure as the interim head coach, proved to the Spurs leadership that he is the right person for the job.
Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt expressed confidence in Johnson’s ability to continue the team’s legacy. “We are thrilled for Mitch Johnson to be our next head coach,” Holt said. “Throughout his time with the organization, we have seen that Mitch has the right values, poise, and potential to lead us into the future.”
Johnson’s promotion to head coach comes after an extraordinary series of events. On November 2, 2023, a few hours before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Popovich suffered a stroke at the Spurs’ San Antonio arena. In an instant, Johnson was thrust into the role of interim head coach, a position he held for the remainder of the season.
During that stretch, Johnson guided the Spurs to a 32-45 record. While these games are officially counted under Popovich’s name, as he was still the team’s head coach at the time, Johnson’s leadership was on full display. By the time the new season begins, Johnson will have a fresh slate as head coach, with a record of 0-0.
One of the most encouraging signs of Johnson’s leadership has come from the team’s star player, Victor Wembanyama. The young phenom, who has already made a significant impact in his rookie season, expressed his trust in the organization’s decision to promote Johnson. “I trust the organization… and I also trust Mitch to grow into that role,” Wembanyama said after the season ended. “I think we are in good hands.”
Johnson’s journey with the Spurs began in 2015 when he joined the team’s G League affiliate in Austin, Texas. Over the years, he gained valuable experience coaching at various levels, including as head coach of the NBA Summer League teams in Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023. In these roles, Johnson worked closely with Popovich, who observed the games from the stands, a mentor watching from a distance as Johnson refined his coaching style.
Before his coaching career took off, Johnson was a four-year starter at Stanford, where he played alongside NBA stars like Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, and Landry Fields. After college, he spent time playing in both the G League and in Europe, honing his basketball knowledge and preparing for a future in coaching. His basketball lineage runs deep; Johnson is the son of John Johnson, a 12-year NBA veteran.
In addition to his professional achievements, Johnson is a family man, married to Jessica and the father of four children: Tasia, Tatum, Johnnie, and Jameson. This balance of personal and professional commitments adds to the depth of character that Johnson brings to his new role as head coach.
“I am truly grateful and honored to receive this incredible opportunity,” Johnson said after the announcement. “I am thankful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian, and Peter for trusting me to carry on our culture. I promise to give this responsibility everything I have to make Spurs fans proud.”
With Johnson taking the reins, the Spurs are poised to continue their rich legacy of basketball excellence. While Popovich’s shoes are undoubtedly large to fill, Johnson has already shown the potential to lead this storied franchise in the years to come. As the Spurs enter a new chapter, fans are eager to see how Johnson’s leadership will shape the team’s future and whether he can maintain the winning culture that Popovich built.
For now, all eyes will be on Johnson as he prepares for his first official season as head coach. While his journey to this point was unexpected, it is clear that he is ready for the challenge. With a new era on the horizon, Spurs fans can look forward to what the future holds under Mitch Johnson’s leadership.
