The Spurs coaching transition and NBA coaching longevity

Gregg Popovich retired as the San Antonio Spurs head coach in May 2025 to become the president of basketball operations. This transition follows health challenges from 2024 and 2025, including a mild stroke on November 2, 2024, and a fainting incident in April 2025. Mitch Johnson took over as the acting head coach in November 2024 after Popovich suffered a stroke, and the NBA later credited him with the team’s 32-45 record during the remaining 77 games of that season. The Spurs also hired Billy Donovan as lead assistant coach to support the coaching staff this season. Donovan previously coached the Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls for 11 seasons. You might recall his 2020 NBA Coach of the Year co-recipient award. Popovich finished his coaching career with 1,390 wins and five NBA championships; he earned NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2003, 2012, and 2014. He holds the record for most coaching wins in NBA history. Popovich became the head coach in 1996 after the team struggled with a 20-62 record and used the first overall pick to draft Tim Duncan. The Spurs currently manage a roster that includes Victor Wembanyama, who faced deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder earlier this year.

NBA coaching longevity and salaries

NBA coaching salaries reflect the value of veteran leaders. Steve Kerr earns $17.5 million annually, while Popovich holds a contract with an average annual value of $17 million. Erik Spoelstra earns $15 million and Tyronn Lue earns $15 million. The market shifted in 2023 when the Detroit Pistons signed Monty Williams to a six-year, $78.5 million contract. The Pistons still owe Williams $65 million in dead money after he left the team after one season in which the team posted a 14-68 record. Erik Spoelstra signed an eight-year, $120 million deal, which is the biggest total financial commitment to a coach in North American sports history.

The coaching landscape changes, as five of the 11 longest-tenured head coaches in the NBA saw changes since last summer. These departures include Billy Donovan, Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd, Jamahl Mosley, and Willie Green. Only five coaches have led their current teams for five full seasons, and Donovan’s tenure with the Bulls never saw a record above .500. Nick Nurse earns $8.5 million while J.B. Bickerstaff earns $6.34 million. Tyronn Lue led the Clippers to their first-ever conference finals appearance, and he earns $15 million annually.

Professional coaching succession models

Succession planning appears in various professional sports to maintain stability. Mike Krzyzewski announced his retirement at Duke with a plan for Jon Scheyer to take over in the 2021-22 season. This followed a strategy where Krzyzewski prepared assistants like Quin Snyder to lead future units. Krzyzewski’s history of hiring former players includes names like Jeff Capel and Bobby Hurley. Krzyzewski linked his approach to his experience as a U.S. Army captain. This method avoided the instability seen at UCLA, where Gene Bartow struggled to succeed John Wooden. Similarly, the Penrith Panthers announced that Ivan Cleary will remain head coach through the end of the 2027 NRL season. Cleary, who won two Dally M Coach of the Year awards, guided the Panthers to four consecutive premierships from 2021 to 2024. His tenure included three minor premierships in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Peter Wallace will succeed Cleary as head coach starting in 2028. Wallace worked as the club’s defensive coach during recent successful seasons and is a Panthers Life Member. Will this structured approach prevent the instability seen in other coaching changes?