San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich ‘is not expected to return this season, and his NBA future is uncertain,’ ESPN reported Saturday.
In November, Popovich had a mild stroke that’s kept him away from his day-to-day duties as coach and out of the public spotlight. He is the NBA’s all-time winningest coach.
He made his first public comments in a statement released on Dec. 16, stating his desire to return to coaching.
“No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process,” Popovich said. “They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”
Here’s the latest regarding Popovich’s future.
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When will Gregg Popovich return?
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Popovich is not expected to return to his full-time coaching role this season.
The five-time champion coach suffered a mild stroke during the season. Charania said Popovich has continued to progress and get stronger through rehab.
The 76-year-old has served as the Spurs’ head coach for 29 seasons.
Who is filling in as Spurs’ interim head coach?
Mitch Johnson is serving as the acting coach in San Antonio during Popovich’s absence.
The 38-year-old joined the Spurs as an assistant coach in 2019. He won a G League championship in 2018 while working as an assistant with the Austin Spurs.
The Spurs are 24-30 overall and 12th in the Western Conference.