What’s The Big Surprise? Gregg Popovich will make a thrilling comeback as Spurs head coach with a fresh 5-year contract
Ben Madilynn
Gregg Popovich’s return to the San Antonio Spurs as head coach has been officially announced. The new five-year contract will see him continue in that role. Spurs fans have become accustomed to Popovich’s consistent leadership over the last two decades. Popovich was the driving force behind the Spurs, guiding them to five NBA Championships and making the Spurs a perennial powerhouse. Popovich’s basketball IQ, his strategic genius and his ability to develop young talents have made him one of NBA history’s most respected coaches.
Popovich’s return is important for both the Spurs and the city of San Antonio. Popovich is well-known in San Antonio, and he has gained a lot of respect for both his achievements on the court as well as his social activism. Popovich is not afraid to speak up on issues that are important. He advocates for social justice all the time and expresses his opinion on political matters. His return to the Spurs brings stability and consistency, as well as a strong voice in support of change and progression at a moment when they are most needed.
Venerable San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will return for a 28th season — and several more.
The Spurs announced Popovich has signed a 5-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Popovich is also president of basketball for the team. The deal’s terms were not disclosed. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Popovich will earn more than $80 Million.
Popovich was rumored to be retiring in 2022-23. Nebulous quotations and his election as the Basketball Hall of Fame The talk about a fuelled conversation was a hot topic.
He told reporters in March. “What the hell am I doing here? Do I need to do this?” He said that he feels energized when he goes to practice and sees how his players are motivated. “I wouldn’t trade it.”
Popovich, 74, is still passionate about coaching.
He said that he would be announcing his retirement from the NHL in 2022-2023. “I think the little voice in my head will tell me, ‘That’s enough.’ When I’m tired of telling someone, ‘Well, why are you getting beat backdoor so much? Can you please stay in front of somebody? Maybe you want to touch him and block him out a little bit. Maybe when we shoot a shot, you want to run back that way with a little bit of effort instead of loafing. Get your ass in gear.’ When I stop wanting to do that, then I’ll know it’s over.”
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Popovich has five NBA championships (1999-2003-2005, 2007, 2014) as well as three coach of year awards (2003-12-14). In the 2021-22 NBA season, he was named as one of the 15 greatest coaches in the league’s history.
The Spurs were 22-60 last season and missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, the longest drought of his career.
Over the course of two decades, the Spurs made deep runs in the postseason with players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan and Manu Giobili. Spurs played in the playoffs each season from 1998 until 2019 for a record-breaking 22 consecutive seasons.
San Antonio was selected as the winner of the draft lottery. 7-foot-5 French phenom Victor Wembanyama No. Popovich can now build around another big star to help him achieve his goal.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt at Twitter @JeffZillgitt
