Gregg Popovich, the longstanding head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, is uncertain about his future with the team. Many people think that Pop may be nearing the end of his NBA career and may soon retire due to his health issues and advanced age of 76. However, there’s a lingering issue as to who will be the replacement for the renowned coach.
Pop started the 2024-25 NBA season with the team but had to step away early in November because of a health issue. Following his move to step away from the team, it was confirmed that he would be on an “indefinite break,” leaving Mitch Johnson as the interim head coach. Later on, the Spurs confirmed that Popovich suffered a mild stroke, making his return to his coaching job “uncertain.”
There is still no update on whether the longest-active tenured head coach in the league will be able to return to coaching. With that, there have been suggestions on who could be his successor moving forward.
On Tuesday’s episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” Sam Amick of The Athletic appeared as a guest. Part of what he talked about on the show is who the potential replacement for Pop is. That is if the living legend decides to step down. According to Amick, former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins is one of the names that have been brought up to fill the five-time champion’s shoes.
“This kinda informal discussion that we keep having about the Pop successor,” Amick said. “No one’s trying to kick the legend out before he wants to go. But Taylor [Jenkins] is somebody who is widely discussed on that list as well.”
Taylor Jenkins is on the list of candidates under consideration to replace Gregg Popovich in San Antonio, whenever that should happen! Per @sam_amick
Do we think Taylor Jenkins would be a good fit with the Spurs? @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons pic.twitter.com/g9h6aH22KZ
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 1, 2025
Jenkins has ties with the San Antonio organization since he started as an assistant head coach with the Austin Toros (currently the Austin Spurs). He eventually became the head coach for the developmental team.
Former San Antonio Spurs player gave an update on Popovich
On Sunday, the San Antonio Spurs failed to protect their home court against the Golden State Warriors and suffered an abysmal 148-106 loss. Following the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talked to the media and gave an update about his former coach.
“We’ve stayed in touch. I went and saw him today, and he looks great. Doing great. He’s one of the most important people in my life, so I’m hoping that everything continues to progress… It was wonderful to see him,” Kerr said.
Kerr used to play for the Spurs for four seasons and was part of the team’s 2003 championship team. Since then, he’s maintained a close friendship with Pop and the organization.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
