Spurs fans at Market Square react to the news of Gregg Popovich stepping aside from coaching duty.
SAN ANTONIO — After the late morning news surrounding Gregg Popovich was released by the Spurs organization, we made our way down to Fiesta De Los Reyes at Market Square to get fan reactions of the news that Popovich will step aside from full time coaching duties to become the President Of Basketball Operations.
“I’m surprised,” said one fan. “I did not expect it.”
“It is so sad because it is the end of the Spurs as we know them,” said one longtime fan as she wiped a tear from her face. “Of course (I’m emotional about it) because Pop is San Antonio. He’s like a grandpa.”
“We were driving over here and I asked my husband, is this true,” said a diehard Spurs fan. “It was posted 28 minutes ago and he was like, I don’t know. As soon as we got out of the car, we looked a little bit more and I said I think I need a drink. My heart was broken. It is sad.”
“I’m gonna miss him a lot,” another fan said. How much is ‘a lot’? I asked. “I’m gonna cry in a minute. That’s why I’m here to celebrate his legacy.”
One of the things we asked the fans we can across was to comment on his legendary legacy leading the Silver & Black.
“It is huge,” said one fan. “It is like Red Auerbach and the Boston Celtics. It was just that kind of level. He embodies San Antonio.”
“He’s been one of the greatest coaches I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” said one longtime fan. “He’s done great things for the franchise. I wish him the best and hopefully he comes out better.”
“It was a long time coming for Coach Pop,” said another fan. “But those five championships will never be forgotten and he will never be forgotten. He will always be a staple here in San Antonio. He’s always gonna live on. It will never end. Coach Pop will always be here.’
Gregg Popovich was the head coach in San Antonio for 29 years winning five NBA titles and amassing 1,422 wins, the most in NBA history.
First came word from the Spurs that Gregg Popovich was stepping aside from full time coaching duties followed shortly thereafter with word that interim head coach Mitch Johnson was being promoted to the full time position.
We chatted Fiesta going Spurs fans also gave their reaction to Johnson moving into his role as the new coach face of the Silver & Black.
“I’m sure Coach Pop gave him the ‘OK’,” said one fan. “I think we’re in good hands with Mitch Johnson.”
“That kind of makes sense,” said another fan. “I think that’ll work.”
“New changes, new year, new season and we’ll see what comes,” said another.
I told two Fiesta goers not to let this news ruin their Fiesta, that this is the beginning of a new era. They agreed, although one said he was still in shock.
Another fan told me she is excited because Mitch is a product of Coach Pop. I told her that Coach Johnson also has Wemby, and that’s not all bad.
“Yes, I agree,” she said.
“We have to give him a chance,” said a long time fan. “We will give him a chance. I know I will.”
Mitch Johnson has been with the Spurs organization since the 2016 season and had been an assistant underneath Gregg Popovich since the 2019 season. He becomes the Spurs new head coach at 38 years of age.