NBA-Popovich, who returns as a trace coach, becomes Team President | The mighty 790 kfgo

(Reuters) – Gregg Popovich has resigned as a coach of the San Antonio Spurs and will go to the president of the club of basketball operations, the NBA team said on Friday.

The 76-year-old Popovich, who has the most victories from every coach in NBA history, suffered a slight stroke last November and did not return during the rest of the season.

“While my love and passion for the game stayed, I decided to go time as head coach,” said Popovich.

“I am grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, employees and fans forever, who have allowed me to serve them as head coach of Spurs and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to support the organization, the community and the city, which are so useful for me.”

Popovich is a three-time NBA coach of the year, who led the Spurs to five championships and led the US men's team to a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He was included in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2023.

Popovich took over in 1996 as a Spurs trainer and transformed them into one of the most successful franchise companies in the NBA.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editor of Toby Davis)