“I’m no longer coach…,” no one ever expected Gregg Popovich to say this, the man who built and shaped the Spurs for decades. But he isn’t going anywhere; “I’m ‘El Jefe,'” he announced his new role for the team. It’s Spanish for “The Boss.” After a legendary 29-year tenure with the Spurs, Coach Pop has officially passed down the torch to Mitch Johnson. Despite dealing with health scares and rehab, the legend continued to lift the team’s spirits by cracking some of his classic jokes at the news conference. With his unique strategy and game style, coaching some of the league’s elites such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and more, Coach Pop ushered in a new era for the team. As this ends, marking the beginning of a new chapter, Spurs cry ‘legend’! So, if not him, then who to get the ultimate honor? Former NBA players agreed!

During these 29 years, he achieved 1,422 regular-season wins, the most ever. He also boasts 170 playoff wins, the third-most ever. In total, Coach Pop has 1,592 wins! Another intriguing detail is that the legend has faced 170 different coaches during his tenure. There have been 303 coaching changes around the league, with Coach Pop being a constant. His impact on the league is undeniable.

Do you think the NBA Coach of the Year award should be named after Coach Pop, who himself once claimed the title? Former NBA player Chandler Parsons didn’t hesitate to agree and even called him a legend. “I’m not going to be the guy who votes ‘no’ against that. This guy’s a legend. He’s the best, and I am all for naming the coach of the year after him.”

“I will be down for it. Why not! He’s a legendary coach. He’s well respected and that would be earned that was something that if all players in the league past and present could get on the same page I think we can kind of push the envelope and try to get this done I’d be for that for sure,” Lou Williams also supported the idea. Whether this change will happen remains to be seen. Ready for The Gregg Popovich NBA Coach of The Year? Time will tell.

On May 2, the 76-year-old passed the coaching duties to Johnson, making his first appearance at a news conference after the incident. This came after he suffered a stroke six months ago. He will remain with the Spurs as team president and continue to be part of the team’s leadership.

During the event, Popovich removed his jacket before bringing the new head coach to the podium, revealing a T-shirt with his new title, “El Jefe,” and now we know the meaning. The back of the shirt read “Señor Popovich.” He also brought the former NBA players in on.

Gregg Popovich poked fun at Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili 

Duncan, who was primarily coached by Popovich, has a strong bond with the team as well as the coach. The two went on to win 5 championship titles with the Spurs. Former NBA player Ginobili was one of the best players on the roster coached by Popovich. During the event, when the former coach handed the reins to Johnson, Duncan and Ginobili also accompanied him.

Speaking of the two former NBA players, the former coach revealed that both were present for him during all his rehabs. However, to express gratitude, the 76-year-old had a unique fashion to tease them. He jokingly suggested that the two were present for a very different purpose and even called out to Duncan that they had been caught.

““Timmy and Manu, who have been here for all of my workouts here at The Rock,” Popovich said. “They say it’s because they love me and want to be there in case I fall— I call it payback, cause they give the rehab people new ideas of things to do to me. You’re not fooling anybody, especially you, Timmy,” Popovich said.

He is one of the greatest and legendary coaches in the league. And despite everything, it was also an emotional moment for not just Spurs but every veteran who has known him. After all, this marks the end of Popovich’s coaching era. Steve Kerr, Houston Rockets’ head coach, Ime Udoka, LaMarcus Aldridge, and many more expressed their warm wishes as both the former coach and the team step up for an era.