Steve Kerr Thanks Gregg Popovich, Says Move to Spurs Exec Role a 'Natural Transition'

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave his thoughts on legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich's decision to transition to a president of basketball operations role.

"I just want to say thank you to Pop and to the Spurs organization for everything that they've meant to me in my career," Kerr told reporters on Friday.

"It's sad day," he added. "It's also an encouraging day, because I think this is a natural transition for him organizationally to move into his next role."

Kerr spent four years on the Spurs under Popovich during his playing career and also served as one of his assistant coaches on Team USA during the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Becky Hammon, who now coaches the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, also paid her respects to Popovich after having coached under him with the Spurs from 2014 to 2021.

"That's who mentored me, that's who spent literally thousands of hours with me," Hammon told reporters. "Watching him, I was there eight years. It's a lot of games, it's a lot of practices, it's a lot of coaches meetings. So yeah, my heart's a little heavy for him because I know how much he loves it, but I'm sure he'll crush this role just as much."

Popovich has been involved with the Spurs and present at their training facility as of late but ultimately "came to the conclusion that he no longer could move forward with the taxing grind of being an NBA head coach," according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

The 76-year-old opened San Antonio's 2024-25 campaign with the team but was forced to step away after suffering a mild stroke on Nov. 2. He eventually missed the rest of the season.

Kerr revealed that he visited Popovich to check up on him as he was recovering.

"We've stayed in touch," Kerr told reporters on March 30. "I went and saw him today and he looks great. He's doing great. He's one of the most important people in my life, so hoping that everything continues to progress. But it was wonderful to see him."

Popovich had operated as the Spurs' head coach since taking over during the 1996-97 season, owning a 1,422-869 record and winning five championships. He has the most wins of any coach in NBA history and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Mitch Johnson, who was San Antonio's interim head coach in Popovich's absence, was promoted to the full-time role as his replacement.