The San Antonio Spurs have been coached by Gregg Popovich for 29 years. Since taking over as head coach in 1996, Popovich has become arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time.
With such a lengthy résumé, Popovich—who recently turned 76—is revered and universally respected. His staff, players, and the entire Spurs organization speak of him with admiration and appreciation.
Unfortunately, Popovich has been dealing with a serious health issue over the past year. He took a leave of absence from the team on Nov. 2, 2024, and assistant coach Mitch Johnson has stepped in as interim head coach since.
De’Aaron Fox Sends Popovich His Support
On Feb. 27, Popovich met with his Spurs players and confirmed that he would not return to coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season, leaving many to question his future in the league.
Regardless of what happens next in Popovich’s career, he has received an outpouring of support from the Spurs staff and organization, including their newest player, De’Aaron Fox. Fox, who joined the team ahead of the February trade deadline, offered words of encouragement for Popovich:
“I think it’s inspirational going through the things that [Gregg Popovich] is going through… You continue to pray for him, you continue to want him to get better because it’s much bigger than basketball.”
De’Aaron Fox on Coach Pop 🙌
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 3, 2025
“I think it’s inspirational going through the things that he’s going through, him trying to fight back. Just to be out there. It’s a testament to who he is as a person.
“You can tell he wants to be back out there… You continue to pray for him. You continue to want him to get better because it’s much bigger than basketball.”
Fox’s powerful words underscored how much this Spurs team values Popovich. The level of respect they have for him reflects why he remains so beloved within the organization.
What Could Be Next for the Spurs?
With Victor Wembanyama ruled out for the season, the Spurs appear to be shifting their focus toward next year. However, many questions remain—especially with potential free agents on the board.
Fox’s status will be particularly interesting to monitor. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, but given that the Spurs were his preferred trade destination, it seems likely he will remain with the team.
San Antonio may not be in contention for a playoff spot this season, but next year could be a different story. A healthy Wembanyama, Fox locked in for multiple years, and the potential return of Popovich could set up a major turnaround for the franchise.
