New San Antonio Spurs head coach Mickey Johnson is nothing new – at least there is no franchise.
Johnson was promoted after coach Gregg Popovich made a complete transition to the role of the Spurs front.
Johnson led San Antonio to a 32-45 record in the games he coached this season.
Here is everything you need to know about new San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson:
Johnson, 38, has been working for Popovich since 2019 when he joined the Spurs' assistant. He was promoted to the front of the Popovich bench in 2020 and was considered one of the top young assistant coaches in the NBA before taking over the Spurs this season.
The 2024-25 regular season is Johnson's third time as interim coach in San Antonio. The first time was in May 2021, when Popovich participated in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in the former Spurs Big Tim Duncan. Johnson and San Antonio lost to the Suns 140-103.
The second time was in March 2023, when Popovich missed a game due to his 199 illness. Johnson won his first NBA professional coaching victory 110-99 with the Pacers 110-99. Popovich returns to the following game.
Previously, Johnson coached at the organization's G League branch, Austin Mast. From 2016 to 2019, he was an assistant to coaches Ken McDonald and Blake Ahearn.
Johnson played four seasons of I Division I basketball games from 2005 to 2009 at Stanford, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Johnson helped the Cardinal lead two NCAA Championship appearances, including a Sweet 16 match in 2008. After his college career, Johnson briefly served in the G League with the Tulsa 66ers.
Johnson is the son of former two NBA All-Star John Johnson.
Shortly after Popovich suffered a stroke, San Antonio said in November that he was expected to recover fully, although his timeline for returning to coaching has not been determined.
Popovich stayed away from the team for most of the 2024-25 season, although he did speak to the team on February 27 and informed players that he would not return outside the field for the rest of the season.
It is reported that on April 15, Popovich suffered a medical incident at a restaurant and was taken to the hospital. He was later discharged from the hospital and returned home.
Then, Popovich announced Friday that he would step down as head coach and transition to another role as president of the basketball business.
According to the NBA, all wins and losses during his vacation will be counted on his official record. Johnson served as interim coach 32-45 last season.
Popovich is the NBA's best coach all-time, winning 1,422 wins, losing 869 and winning percentage of .611. He also won five NBA finals.
Essentially, Johnson will try to maintain the culture that Popovich has built in his nearly three decades as Spurs coach. Johnson's promotion was so swiftly shown that he has been regarded as Popovich's successor and relatively stable housekeeper.
“We are delighted that Mitch Johnson is our next head coach,” Spurs board partner Peter J. Holt said in a statement Friday. “Over the organization, we have seen that Mickey has the right values, calmness and potential to bring us into the future.”
Johnson will need to continue to develop Star Phenom Victor Wembanyama as the core of the team. Point guard De'aaron Fox's mid-season deal is giving San Antonio another dynamic drama maker. Despite both end-of-season injuries this season, the explosive offense around the duo and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle could make San Antonio a candidate for the next season to end a six-year playoff drought.
This is only amplified when considering San Antonio is considered to be the first-round pick in the Deep NBA draft from June 25 to 26.
Throughout the organization, both players and employees praised Johnson well. But the most important view besides Popovich and Johnson's other bosses belong to Weimanma, who will become the cornerstone of the Spurs in the coming years.
According to ESPN, after San Antonio’s last game of the season, Wembanyama may feel that Johnson will eventually be promoted.
"I trust the organization. I believe in everything that Pop(Do) can come back. I also believe in Mitch to be the role. I think we support each other throughout the organization. I'm ready for anything.
On November 2, Johnson coached his first game with a 113-103 victory over the Timberwolves after Popovich kept his stroke, and veteran Chris Paul praised Johnson.
"Mickey did a great job, man," Paul said. "I think our entire coaching staff did it. It's all happening in this league, like the players, it's the next guy. So, yelling at Mickey; he did a great job tonight."