Gregg Popovich facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Gregg Popovich

Popovich speaking at the White House in 2015
San Antonio Spurs
Head coach President
Personal information
Born	(1949-01-28) January 28, 1949 (age 76) East Chicago, Indiana, U.S.
High school	Merrillville (Merrillville, Indiana)
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Career information
College	Air Force (1966–1970)
Coaching career	1973–present
League	NBA
Career history
As coach:
1973–1979	Air Force (assistant)
1979–1986	Pomona-Pitzer
1986–1987	Kansas (assistant)
1987–1988	Pomona-Pitzer
1988–1992	San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
1992–1994	Golden State Warriors (assistant)
1996–present	San Antonio Spurs
Career highlights and awards
As head coach: 5× NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) 3× NBA Coach of the Year (2003, 2012, 2014) 4× NBA All-Star Game head coach (2005, 2011, 2013, 2016) 3× SCIAC champion (1980–1982) Top 15 Coaches in NBA History
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Head coach for the  United States Gold 2020 Tokyo Team Assistant coach for the  United States Bronze 2004 Athens Men's basketball FIBA Americas Championship Assistant coach for the  United States Gold 2003 San Juan Men's basketball

Gregg Charles Popovich (born January 28, 1949) is an American professional basketball coach. He is currently the president and head coach for the San Antonio Spurs team in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Popovich joined the Spurs in 1994. He was the president of basketball operations and general manager before becoming the coach in 1996. He is the longest-serving coach in the NBA. Many people think he is one of the greatest coaches in NBA history. He has won the most games of any coach in NBA history.

Popovich led the Spurs to a winning record for 22 seasons in a row. This is the most consecutive winning seasons in NBA history. He has guided the Spurs to all five of their NBA championships. He is one of only five coaches to win five titles. In 2023, Popovich was added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He also coached the U.S. national team to a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Early Life and College

Gregg Popovich's Early Years

Gregg Popovich was born on January 28, 1949. He grew up in East Chicago, Indiana. His father was Serbian and his mother was Croatian. He finished high school at Merrillville High School in 1966.

Playing Basketball in College

Popovich went to the United States Air Force Academy. He played basketball for the Air Force Falcons men's basketball team. In his last year, he was the team captain and top scorer. He earned a degree in Soviet studies in 1970.

After college, Popovich served five years in the United States Air Force. He traveled around Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. He played on the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team. In 1972, he was the captain of this team. They won the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. This led to him being invited to try out for the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team.

Coaching Career Highlights

Starting Out: Pomona-Pitzer and Early Jobs (1973–1994)

In 1973, Popovich went back to the Air Force Academy. He became an assistant coach for the basketball team. While there, he earned a master's degree. He studied physical education and sports sciences.

In 1979, Popovich became the head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens. This team was for two colleges in California. He coached them from 1979 to 1988. He led them to their first championship in 68 years.

During this time, Popovich became friends with coach Larry Brown. Brown coached at the University of Kansas. Popovich took a year off from Pomona-Pitzer to learn from Brown. He was a volunteer assistant coach at Kansas in 1985–86.

After the 1987–88 season, Popovich joined Larry Brown as an assistant coach for the Spurs. He worked there from 1988 to 1992. Then, he moved to the Golden State Warriors for a short time. He was an assistant coach there under Don Nelson.

Leading the San Antonio Spurs (1994–Present)

Popovich in 2010

In 1994, Popovich returned to the San Antonio Spurs. He became the general manager and vice president. One of his first big moves was signing Avery Johnson. He also traded Dennis Rodman to the Chicago Bulls.

The Spurs had a tough start in the 1996–97 season. Key players like David Robinson were injured. Popovich decided to fire the coach and became the head coach himself. The team struggled that season, winning only 20 games. This bad season, however, allowed them to get the first pick in the 1997 NBA draft. They used it to draft Tim Duncan.

With Duncan and Robinson, the Spurs became very strong. They won 56 games in Popovich's first full year as coach. Then, in 1999, they won their first NBA championship.

In 2002, Popovich gave up his general manager role. He focused on coaching. He has won five championships with the Spurs: in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. He was also named NBA Coach of the Year three times: in 2003, 2012, and 2014.

In 2008, Popovich received a special award from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He said it was the most meaningful award he had ever gotten.

Popovich interviewed by David Aldridge

In 2012, Popovich made a decision that caused a stir. He rested four of his main players for a game against the Miami Heat. He often rested players to keep them fresh for the playoffs. The NBA commissioner, David Stern, was upset. He fined the Spurs $250,000. Many people disagreed with the fine.

Popovich led the Spurs to the 2013 NBA Finals. They played against the Miami Heat. The series went to seven games, but the Spurs lost. It was their first time losing in the Finals.

Popovich during a regular-season game in 2011

In 2014, Popovich won his third NBA Coach of the Year award. That same season, he led the Spurs to their fifth NBA championship. They beat the Miami Heat 4–1 in the Finals.

On February 9, 2015, Popovich won his 1,000th game as a coach. He is one of only two coaches to win 1,000 games with just one team.

In the 2015–16 season, the Spurs won 67 games. This was a record for the team. However, they lost in the playoffs.

On February 4, 2017, Popovich set another record. He had his 1,128th regular season win with one team. This passed Jerry Sloan's record. By April 13, 2019, he became the all-time winningest coach in NBA history. This includes both regular season and playoff wins.

On January 26, 2020, Popovich led a special tribute. After the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Popovich suggested both teams take a 24-second shot clock violation. This honored Bryant's jersey number 24. Many other teams in the league did the same.

On March 11, 2022, Popovich broke another record. He passed Don Nelson for the most regular season wins ever. He achieved his 1,336th regular season victory. He reached this record much faster than Nelson did.

In November 2024, it was announced that Popovich would take a break from coaching. He had a mild stroke. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in as interim head coach.

National Team Career

Popovich has also coached the U.S. men's national team. He was an assistant coach in 2002, 2003, and at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The U.S. team won a bronze medal in 2004.

On October 23, 2015, Popovich became the head coach of the U.S. men's national team. At the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the team finished seventh. This was their lowest finish ever in international play.

However, Popovich led the U.S. team to a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. They won against France in the final.

Personal Life and Community Work

Popovich, with Secretary of Defense William Cohen and Spurs' player David Robinson, speaks to Junior ROTC cadets from local high schools (2000)

Gregg Popovich was married to Erin Popovich for 42 years. She passed away in 2018. They had two children. Popovich enjoys collecting wine. He is also an investor in a wine company in Oregon.

Popovich has often spoken out about important social issues. He supports various causes that aim to make society fairer.

Helping Others in the Community

Popovich has spent a lot of time and money helping charities. He works with groups like the San Antonio Food Bank. He also supports the Innocence Project, which helps people who were wrongly convicted.

He took part in "Shoes That Fit," an organization that gives shoes to students. He helped students affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Popovich also helps raise money for disaster relief programs in places like Haiti and the Caribbean.

Head coaching record

College

NBA

National team

Source:

See also

In Spanish: Gregg Popovich para niños

• List of NBA championship head coaches

Images for kids

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  Popovich speaking at the White House in 2015