Gregg Popovich

Was the Spurs' hiring of Gregg Popovich in 1996 more or less absurd than AFC Richmond hiring Ted Lasso?

That 1987-88 season in which his team went 7-19 was Gregg Popovich’s last season as the head coach of a basketball team before he became head coach of the San Antonio Spurs eight years later. Only Gregg Popovich had the genius to make the best coaching hire in the history of any sports league ever. Yet in 1996, the San Antonio Spurs hired Pop to coach their iconic professional basketball team in the best basketball league in the world. While Claremont was the class of the league during those years, Pop’s team was not. In many ways, Ted Lasso turned out to be the perfect coach at the perfect time for that particular soccer team. Only twice did Pomona-Pitzer break .500 while Pop was coaching, and in one of those “good years” the team barely won more than they lost at 12-11.

Friday night was a special night for not only San Antonio Spurs fans, but for sports enthusiasts and the entire NBA.

Congratulations on being the most winningest coach on NBA history! Lucky to have been around at the start in December 1996 and now 26 years and 5 Championships later.— Greg Simmons (@GregSimmonsKSAT) March 12, 2022 Congrats to Gregg Popovich on becoming the NBA's all-time winningest coach. Coach Popovich, you've led this city and inspired us all. #PorVida https://t.co/2bURbPKnTw pic.twitter.com/SGQAprI5zP March 12, 2022 👴🐐— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) https://t.co/Dlgz1ysXCh March 12, 2022 Coach Gregg Popovich remains one of the greatest competitors, teachers and leaders in NBA history. It's ours." A great coach can change a life. "It's not mine. A good coach can change a game. “It’s not mine, it’s ours, here in the city, because of all the people I just mentioned.

He's now won more games than anyone in NBA history, but the Air Force veteran's most important legacy will be speaking out on injustice, racism and police ...

I’m proud to be of the group of white people who genuinely want to be allies in this fight.” Yes, Popovich’s coaching milestone is historic and worthy of celebration, but his activism off the court will endure longer as the standard for all white people who truly want to be allies in this fight against racism and white supremacy. “It seems like a lot of roll back in that regard, especially as we look at the race situation in our country. I live in a country where half the people ignored that to elect someone.” But what makes Coach Popovich really special, as well as unique, is the way he used his voice and his platform to speak out on injustice, racism, police brutality and the rest of societal ills that plague American society, not only on a daily, personal basis, but a systemic basis. It’s not just with their words, but their actions prove it, and that is scary.” The reality is, there are segments of people in America who will give one big collective eye roll to hearing any Black person talk about systemic racism, police brutality, white supremacy, and bigotry. Dr. King did not ignore it, and it’s a big fear now that we have a group in power that is very willing to ignore it. “I think I’m just embarrassed as a white person to know that that can happen. Unless it is talked about constantly, it’s not going to get better. Why do we have to talk about that?’ Well, because it’s uncomfortable. Popovich coached Tim Duncan for almost two decades, never missing the playoffs during a span that included five NBA championships.

Players from around the NBA weighed in on Popovich becoming the all-time winningest coach in NBA history.

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors)March 12, 2022 — Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray)March 12, 2022 — Golden State Warriors (@warriors)March 12, 2022 — NBA (@NBA)March 12, 2022 The news of the record-breaking victory by Popovich quickly spread across the league, with several players weighing in on the accomplishment on social media. Popovich collected his 1,336th win with the Spurs to add yet another accomplishment to his legendary career that has spanned 26 seasons.

Tributes poured in for Gregg Popovich after the San Antonio Spurs coach became the NBA's all-time leader in coaching wins on Friday.

To be in this position, as the same breath as him, is in my opinion undeserving and quite awkward because he was so wonderful in saving my family's ass. "He took me on. "Something like this does not belong to one individual. "I couldn't wait for this day to happen and I just want you to know that as one of my best friends in life I just wish you the best for your remaining years in the NBA." Alongside Popovich in being one of only five coaches to win five championships, Nelson was one of the first to congratulate his "old buddy" in a video message tweeted "You the greatest coach of all time and I'm thankful and grateful for you Pop," Murray said.

Gregg Popovich of the Spurs is now the NBA's regular-season wins leader. "Tonight, he had to enjoy it. He had no option."

“For what he’s meant to the profession to so many people and to myself,” said Utah coach Quin Snyder, who coached the Spurs’ G League team from 2007-2010. To be in this position, as the same breath as him, is in my opinion undeserving and quite awkward because he was so wonderful in saving my family’s (behind). So, it’s ironic that I’m sitting here in this situation.” This year’s team is the youngest of Popovich’s career. Popovich has won five NBA championships and 13 division titles and was recently named one of the 15 greatest coaches in league history. A great coach.” Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career.” You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. That is, until the end — players mobbed the 73-year-old Popovich when the game was over, jumping around and hugging him until he could break free and headed to the locker room. Red Auerbach held the mark for about a half-century, followed by Lenny Wilkens, followed by Nelson — and now, Popovich. Popovich’s first stint in San Antonio ended in 1992, working for Larry Brown — until the whole coaching staff got fired. Popovich broke a tie with Don Nelson, the friend and mentor he served as an assistant under while with Golden State for two seasons. “All of us share in this record,” Popovich said Friday night after getting his record-breaking 1,336th victory when the San Antonio Spurs rallied to beat the Utah Jazz 104-102.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich got a heartfelt congratulatory message from the man he surpassed for most all-time wins, Don Nelson.

Pop will want to make it 1,337 career wins on Saturday as they host the Indiana Pacers in the second night of a grueling back-to-back set. I couldn’t wait for this day to happen and I just want you to know that as one of my best friends in life, I just wish you the best for your remaining years in the NBA.” Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson had a special message for Pop on the eve of his iconic milestone.

Now that he's reached the pinnacle of head coaching with the all-time wins record, ...

On opening night, the Spurs traveled to Oakland to face the Golden State Warriors. Fresh off a record-breaking 73-9 season, Golden State had just landed Kevin Durant in free agency and was one of the most star-studded teams in NBA history. His roster was still talented, with the likes of Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker still around, but losing a top 10 player of all time was never going to be easy. He faced a challenge unlike any he'd encountered in his career to that point, and he seamlessly put together another incredible season in San Antonio.

The Spurs coach has the most wins in NBA history, but he's also influenced more NBA careers than possibly anyone ever.

It’s not about you winning a battle with Chris Webber. It’s not about you winning a battle with Dirk Nowitzki. It’s about the Spurs winning the game. The stuff he teaches you, it’s foundational, it’s what you build on and it helps steer you through life. “You look at that list of people you just ran down, and they’re all good people,” Rose says. It’s ours.” It’s always about a team dinner or a story told over good wine or the civil rights activist who came to speak at practice. It’s telling that, no matter which former Spurs player or coach you talk to, discussions about Pop rarely start with basketball. It’s not about you. But that was established long ago, with the five championships, the six Finals appearances and the hundreds (and hundreds and hundreds…) of wins he accrued before passing Don Nelson on Friday. He’d long ago passed all those legends named above. It’s not just that everyone wants to replicate the Spurs’ success (though they do). It isn’t just that Pop actively advocates for his pupils (though he does, quietly). It’s the fact that the best Pop protégés share his values, and live by his favorite mantra: They’ve all “gotten over” themselves. “Like, get out of your own way. Popovich didn’t just raise a bunch of banners. It’s a big number, a weighty number.

On Friday night, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reached a milestone that might never be replicated.

Congrats to Gregg Popovich on becoming the NBA's all-time winningest coach. “Congrats to Gregg Popovich on becoming the NBA’s all-time winningest coach. His leadership & unwavering commitment to the game are widely admired by generations of players and coaches alike." His leadership & unwavering commitment to the game are widely admired by generations of players and coaches alike,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. It’s ours, here in the city.” You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city.

Gregg Popovich may be one of the greatest coaches ever to grace the game of basketball but he is also one of the most loved. Pop's players have always ...

Pop's sense of humor is legendary in the NBA, everyone knows how quick and witty he can be, and this was just another example of that. Pop's players have always loved him, and for the most part, his ability to build cohesive unites around unselfish stars and get the most out of all those players is what has made him the legend he is. Pop wasn't too amused, to say the least, but he seemed touched by the gesture his players had made.

After much anticipation and some delays following a number of losses as of late, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich confirmed – once again – that ...

After much anticipation and some delays following a number of losses as of late, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich confirmed – once again – that he is a basketball legend. However locals decided to mark the historic moment, this all but confirms that no city loves their coach like San Antonio loves Coach Pop. To no surprise, Spurs players past and present shared their messages for Pop.

Gregg Popovich just turned his all-time wins record into an NFT collection for charity and everyone was so confused.

You absolutely love to see it. https://twitter.com/Sixers12345/status/1502634921445232648?s=20&t=svf2XfTLGJ4RN4hXYkY8ng https://twitter.com/SpookaDoncic/status/1502651802117984268?s=20&t=svf2XfTLGJ4RN4hXYkY8ng https://twitter.com/_dankelly_/status/1502652716492992516?s=20&t=svf2XfTLGJ4RN4hXYkY8ng “With Popovich surpassing Nelson on Friday night with a 104-102 victory over the Utah Jazz, the Spurs are making 1,336 NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, that will include five of his hand-drawn offensive play cards and five Spurs court designs over his 26 seasons as coach. The dude is on the shortlist for the greatest coaches of all time.

Gregg Popovich just became the NBA's all-time winningest head coach, but his ...

Given the kind of person Popovich is, I wanted to honor his historic achievement by focusing on what has made him such a great presence off the court rather than on it. While many of these moments technically happened on a basketball court, they all display an off-court quality that has made Gregg Popovich one of a kind. While I've covered rumors in the past that Coach Popovich really wanted this record, it's much more believable to think he legitimately doesn't care about the achievement as a feather in his cap.

On Friday night, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich officially became the winningest coach in NBA history.

You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. All of us share in this record. Gregg Popovich made history on Friday night, becoming the all-time winningest coach in NBA history.

SAN ANTONIO (ABC4 Sports) – Gregg Popovich's name is on top of the NBA regular-season victory list. He thinks of it more as a group accomplishment.

With the Spurs' 2-point win over the Jazz, Gregg Popovich records his 1336th career win setting the NBA's all-time wins record for a coach.

“Before we go home, we gotta celebrate most wins by a coach in NBA history. You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. — Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray)March 12, 2022 — NBA (@NBA)March 12, 2022 The 73-year-old surpassed Don Nelson as the winningest coach in league history. — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT)March 12, 2022

Greg Popovich claimed a record 1336th NBA regular-season victory on Friday night, overtaking friend and mentor Don Nelson; San Antonio Spurs rallied from 15 ...

Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career." Popovich's first stint in San Antonio ended in 1992, working for Larry Brown until the whole coaching staff got fired. Red Auerbach held the mark for about a half-century, followed by Lenny Wilkens, followed by Nelson and now, Popovich. To be in this position, as the same breath as him, is in my opinion undeserving and quite awkward because he was so wonderful in saving my family's ass. "Tonight, he had to enjoy it," Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray said. "All of us share in this record.

When he walked off the AT&T Center floor, he did with not only the 1336th...

As expected, he tried his best to make the record about everyone but him. For whatever reason, though, that one isn’t as celebrated as the regular-season mark, which until Friday had been held by Don Nelson, the guy who gave Popovich a job when he was out of work 30 years ago. After one questionable foul call, he might have set a septuagenarian record for the vertical leap. A team that he normally would have strangled.” Grabbing him by the shoulders, one started jumping up and down, and then they all did, like schoolchildren, forgetting that a win is just a win, that there are more important things in the world than basketball, that individual accomplishments mean nothing. So for 11 whole seconds, the winningest coach in the history of the NBA allowed his players to forget everything he’d ever taught them.

Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches ever. He has won multiple championships with the San Antonio Spurs. There's no doubt that he commands a lot ...

Hopefully, we see Gregg Popovich be able to enjoy his achievement. However, the San Antonio Spurs are well-known for their ability to develop players, so perhaps we'll see those young prospects lift the San Antonio Spurs back to contention in no time. Gregg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches ever.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich became the winningest coach in NBA history following his team's 104-102 win over the Utah Jazz.

Congratulations to Coach Pop on this latest achievement in his legendary career.” You preach to your players that they have to do it together and that’s certainly been the case in my life with all the wonderful players and coaches, the staff that I’ve been blessed with, the support of this wonderful city. “I couldn’t wait for this day to happen.