After extension, Popovich is on pace for record-setting longevity

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. Austin American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK

After signing extension, Gregg Popovich is on pace for record-setting longevity

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/8/23

The San Antonio Spurs and Gregg Popovich agreed to a contract extension on Saturday, locking up the winningest head coach of all time while setting him up to make history beyond basketball.

If Popovich stays for the entirety of his deal, which ends when he's 79, he'll be the third-oldest coach or manager ever among the four major sports, including the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, per Sportsnet Stats.

Should Popovich reach the end of his contract, only longtime baseball managers Connie Mack (87) and Jack McKeon (80) will have patrolled the professional sidelines at a more senior age.

The Spurs and Popovich agreed to a five-year extension reportedly worth $80M, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Gregg Popovich Signs Five-Year Contract pic.twitter.com/GiH9dgev6k
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 8, 2023

The 74-year-old, who also acts as the Spurs' president of basketball operations, has recorded an NBA-best 1,366 victories over 27 seasons with San Antonio.

Popovich led the Spurs to a 21-season playoff streak from 1997-98 to 2018-19, winning five Larry O'Brien Trophies over that time. Under Popovich, the Spurs have failed to qualify for the postseason in each of the last four seasons. However, things could turn around quickly with No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama in tow.

One thing is for sure, Popovich obviously hasn't lost his love for coaching. And with an exciting big man joining the fold and a fresh contract in hand, it appears Popovich is committed to seeing yet another era of Spurs basketball through.

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