Gregg Popovich has made significant progress since suffering a stroke in November and is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery, but ESPN reports that no one with the San Antonio Spurs knows yet whether he will be able to return to the sidelines next season. Popovich is 76 and the physical demands of being an NBA head coach for someone that age is already immense even before a stroke.
Popovich spent several weeks in the hospital after the stroke and was able to start walking again a few months after that. Popovich has been in communicating with the coaching staff, multiple players and team officials. By late January, Popovich was well enough to address the team in person. The Spurs had planned on having Popovich address the team immediately after the All-Star break, but that plan fell through after Victor Wembanyama experienced pain in his shoulder that was eventually diagnosed as a blood clot.
Popovich addressed the team on Feb. 27th. Popovich's passion for coaching remains, especially with the team now centered around Wembanyama.
"It's Pop's decision," one person close to the situation told ESPN. "He's earned that."
Mitch Johnson is serving as interim head coach with Popovich out.
