'I'm El Jefe', Spurs' Gregg Popovich Has Epic Press Conference After Promotion

Former long-time San Antonio Spurs head coach turned team president Gregg Popovich spoke to the media for the first time publicly since suffering a stroke six months ago.

The team president had a smile on his face after officially announcing he stepped down as head coach to hand over the reins to Mitch Johnson. The media room was filled, and Popovich, surrounded by his former players and Hall of Famers, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili, delivered one of his best speeches in a while.

After speaking to the media, Popovich delivered one of his best lines in his career.

"I'm no longer coach," Popovich said. "I'm 'El Jefe.'"

Popovich, the winningest coach of all time, coached the Spurs from 1996 to 2024. He also added what it meant to him, the outpouring he received on his recovery after suffering the stroke.

"I can never express the gratitude that I have for so many people caring about the organization and sending me thoughts and prayers, that sort of thing, since I had this stroke," Popovich said.

After his legendary message to reporters, he then passed over the mic to Johnson. Johnson spoke on what he had learned from the legendary head coach.

"I can't be him or 'El Jefe,'" Johnson said. "But to be able to commit and invest in people and relationships — that can be having to yell and hold someone accountable, and that can be to put your arm around someone's shoulder and love them — and he did it better than anybody that's ever walked the sidelines. And I will attempt to do it my way, whatever that looks like going forward."

It's unfair to compare Johnson to Popovich, yet that is the air he is officially under now. Johnson's first year did not go as planned due to a mixture of injuries, especially to young superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Wembanyama suffered a blood clot in his right shoulder, shutting him down right after the All-Star break. The expectation is he will be ready by the start of next season, giving Johnson his superstar of the present and future in his first official season at the helm.

Johnson led the Spurs to a 34-48 record, which was good for the 13th seed in the loaded Western Conference.

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