Coach K Honors Gregg Popovich, Says He 'Impacted More People In Our Game Than Anybody'

Former Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski offered great praise for Gregg Popovich after his transition from San Antonio Spurs head coach to team president became official recently.

"He impacted more people in our game than anybody," Krzyzewski told ESPN's Baxter Holmes.

That's a power sentiment coming from a five-time NCAA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer in Krzyzewski, who also led Team USA to Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

Popovich notably took over for Krzyzewski and led Team USA to gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He's also a five-time NBA champion, having led the Spurs to NBA Finals victories in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.

The three-time NBA Coach of the Year is also a Basketball Hall of Famer after being inducted into the Class of 2023.

One didn't have to look far to find Popovich's positive impact on some of the sport's biggest names, including Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon, who served as a coach under Popovich from 2014-2021.

His impact on his players is evident too, as noted by Spurs legends and NBA champions Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili standing by his side when he announced his move to president.

Next season will mark Popovich's 36th season with the Spurs after serving as an assistant coach from 1988-1992 and then returning to the team in 1994.