Gregg Popovich embraces new role in first Spurs appearance since November stroke: El Jefe

Gregg Popovich has a new role, but he’s bringing his same sense of humor to it.Fresh off stepping down as the Spurs’ head coach on Friday, Popovich had his first public appearance since April on Monday as the team introduced new coach Mitch Johnson.Popovich stood at the podium to pass the torch to Johnson before unveiling a new T-shirt that displays the words “El Jefe” — with translates from Spanish to “the boss.”“l’ll have a new job and I just want to make sure everyone understands what that new job is,” Popovich said as he unzipped his jacket.“I’m no longer a coach, I’m ‘El Jefe.'”Also emblazoned on the back of the new shirt was “Señor Popovich, President of Basketball Ops,” on display as he stood alongside fellow franchise icons Manu Ginóbili, Tim Duncan and David Robinson.Grabbing the arm of Ginóbili to twist around and take his jacket off, the 76-year-old Popovich then went and hugged Johnson.Johnson was particularly emotional during the introductory press conference.“The best thing you ever taught me, and you’ve shown me more than you’ve taught me about it,” Johnson said, “You understand the moment and how important every single moment is.

And no moment is like any other.The discipline you have to be grounded and present, giving yourself to every moment is what I will never forget.

And at this moment, I would like to say thank you.”Popovich stepped aside as coach after suffering a mild stroke in early November, with Johnson taking over as the interim coach.The five-time NBA champion was taken away from a San Antonio steakhouse via ambulance on April 18, his last known public outing before Monday.After Popovich’s leave, Johnson guided the Spurs to a 31-45 record for a 34-48 finish to the 2024-25 season.Popovich moved into the front office as the NBA’s all-time wins leader with 1,422 victories to go with a league-record three Coach of the Year awards.As President of Basketball Operations, Popovich will be ta...