After suffering a mild stroke in early November, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich revealed to the team that he will not be returning for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. Coming off the heels of star player Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury news, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Popovich’s future with the team is uncertain. Though the revered head coach signed a five-year extension last July, his tenure with the Spurs appears to be nearing its end.
With uncertainty surrounding the future of Popovich’s health, the Spurs must explore all coaching options. Looking to win big in the short term, the team will need to prepare for the worst-case scenario: Popovich stepping away for good. While interim head coach Mitch Johnson has attempted to fill Popovich’s shoes, the experiment has been disappointing. Currently, 24-33 under Johnson’s command, it’s clear this season has not gone as the front office had hoped.
If the Spurs begin their coaching search, it is pivotal that they find a candidate capable of developing talent and leading a locker room. While numerous candidates are in the coaching pool, one in particular could transform the organization and team makeup.
Former Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon embodies everything it means to be a head coach. Her tenure with the team and tutelage under Popovich made her one of the most influential voices on a previously star-studded Spurs coaching staff. Her knowledge of the San Antonio system is undeniable, and her winning intangibles speak for themselves.
Departing from the Spurs in 2022 to take a head coaching job in the WNBA, Hammon successfully led the Las Vegas Aces to two consecutive championship runs in 2022 and 2023 — becoming the first WNBA coach to do so in 20 years. Hammon has proven capable of leading players and developing young talent and her defensive expertise and innovative offensive approach make her a strong candidate for the Spurs’ next head coach.
While the move would make history as the first women’s coaching hire ever, it is a move that must be made if the Spurs wish to succeed without the aid of their long-time head coach.
Stacked with an incredibly young and talented roster, the organization has no room for missteps in their pursuit of a sixth NBA championship. Given Johnson’s struggles as interim coach, the Spurs must explore other options. Although convincing Hammon to leave the WNBA may be challenging, it is a hire the Spurs should pursue vigorously if they want immediate success.
