Gregg Popovich Biography: Net Worth, Siblings, Height, Children, Age, Awards, Parents, Wife

Gregg Popovich is an American professional basketball coach and executive, serving as the president and head coach of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA.

He has been with the Spurs since 1994, initially as president of basketball operations and general manager, before becoming head coach in 1996.

Known as “Coach Pop,” he is the longest-tenured active coach in the NBA and all major U.S. sports leagues.

Popovich holds the record for the most wins in NBA history and is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the league’s history.

Profile

• Full Name: Gregg Charles Popovich
• Stage Name: Gregg Popovich
• Born: January 28, 1949
• Age: 75 years old
• Birthplace: East Chicago, Indiana, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American professional basketball coach and executive
• Height: 1.88 m
• Parents: Raymond Popovich ,Katherine Popovich
• Siblings: 2
• Spouse: Erin Popovich (m. 1976–2018)
• Children: Micky Popovich , Jill Popovich
• Relationship: Widow
• Net Worth: $50 million

Early Life And Education

Gregg Charles Popovich was born to Raymond and Katherine Popovich on January 28, 1949, in East Chicago, Indiana. Raymond, of Serbian descent, worked as a pipefitter in a steel mill, while Katherine had Croatian roots.

Popovich has one brother and a sister, although limited details are available about his siblings. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1970 with a degree in Soviet studies.

While at the Academy, Popovich was the captain and leading scorer of the Air Force Falcons men’s basketball team.

After completing his degree, he pursued further education, earning a master’s degree in physical education and sports sciences from the University of Denver.

This was during his time as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy. Popovich is of Serbian and Croatian descent and practices Christianity.

Career

Gregg Popovich attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he played for the Air Force Falcons men’s basketball team.

He was the team captain and the leading scorer in his senior year. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Soviet studies.

After completing Air Force intelligence training, Popovich considered a career with the CIA but chose to fulfil his five-year active duty requirement in the U.S. Air Force.

During his service, he toured Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team.

He was named captain of the team, which won the 1972 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship. His performance earned him a spot in the 1972 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team trials.

After his military service, Popovich returned to the Air Force Academy in 1973 as an assistant coach under Hank Egan, the head coach. Egan would later join Popovich as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.

While an assistant, Popovich earned a master’s in physical education and sports sciences from the University of Denver.

In 1979, he became the head coach of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, where he coached for nearly a decade, leading the team to its first outright title in 68 years.

In 1996, Popovich took over as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. His leadership transformed the franchise, and he led the Spurs to their first NBA championship in 1999.

Over his career, Popovich won five NBA titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) and became known for his commitment to teamwork and consistency. Under his guidance, the Spurs became one of the most successful and respected teams in NBA history.

Popovich is renowned for his coaching style, which emphasizes player development, adaptability, and maximizing the potential of his athletes.

He has earned three NBA Coach of the Year awards and has led his teams to 22 consecutive playoff appearances from 1997 to 2019, surpassing Phil Jackson for the most consecutive winning seasons in NBA history.

His remarkable success has resulted in the Spurs consistently having a winning record against every NBA team. In addition to his NBA accomplishments, Popovich served as the head coach for the U.S. national basketball team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, where he led the team to a gold medal.

Popovich’s influence extends beyond basketball. He is an outspoken advocate for social justice and has participated in several community initiatives.

His leadership, on and off the court, has made him a respected figure in the sports world. In 2023, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

As of November 2024, Popovich is on a leave of absence due to health concerns following a mild stroke, but he remains a pivotal figure in the NBA and continues to be involved with the Spurs.

Awards and Nominations

Gregg Popovich has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his illustrious coaching career:

• NBA Championships: 5 titles (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) with the San Antonio Spurs.
• NBA Coach of the Year: 3 times (2003, 2012, 2014).
• NBA All-Star Game Head Coach: 4 selections.
• NBA Coach of the Month: 17 times, the most in league history.
• USA Basketball: Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a bronze medal as an assistant at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @greggpopopovich
• Twitter handle: @gregg.popodick

Personal Life

Gregg Popovich was married to Erin Popovich for over 40 years until her passing on April 18, 2018, at 67.

The couple met at the United States Air Force Academy and tied the knot on October 10, 1976. Erin was a homemaker and philanthropist who played a key role in supporting Gregg’s coaching career.

Together, they had two children: a daughter named Jill and a son named Micky.

Net Worth

Gregg Popovich’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. As one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, he has led the San Antonio Spurs to five championships.

In July 2023, Popovich signed a lucrative five-year contract worth $80 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the league with an annual salary of $16 million.