Inside Gregg Popovich's fight to return to the sideline
Before stepping down, the legendary coach battled to return to where he once was. This is the story of his season and how the franchise handled his absence.
www.espn.co.ukHere’s the latest on Gregg Popovich based on recent reporting:
- Gregg Popovich announced he would not return to the Spurs’ sideline for the 2024-25 season while he continued his recovery from a stroke suffered in November 2024. He left open the possibility of returning to coaching in the future, and the team has continued with interim coach Mitch Johnson during his absence.[3][5]
- In early 2025, multiple outlets reported ongoing recovery progress and confirmed that Popovich remained away from coaching duties for the season, with officials noting his health remains the priority and his return to coaching is contingent on his rehabilitation.[2][3]
- By late spring 2025, several outlets reiterated that Popovich had stepped back from the sidelines for the season but did not rule out a future return; the Spurs maintained that the organization would proceed with updates as his situation evolved.[4][3]
- Following his health event, there was broader coverage about how the Spurs, including interim leadership, managed the season and supported Popovich’s family and health priorities, with discussions about whether he would resume coaching next season.[5][3]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current status from a few up-to-date sources and summarize any official statements or press releases, plus note any anticipated timeline for a potential return.