Game Changer: Gregg Popovich

Gregg Popovich is best known for his Hall of Fame coaching résumé: five NBA championships, over 1,300 career wins (the most in NBA history), and the development of some of the league’s most iconic players. But those who have played for him, coached alongside him, or simply paid close attention to his press conferences know that his legacy extends far beyond his success on the court. Popovich is also widely respected for his advocacy, emotional intelligence, respect for humanity, and support for mental well-being.

In a sports environment where toughness can be mistaken for silence, and vulnerability can be viewed as weakness, Popovich has long modeled a different culture. Whether it’s pausing a press conference to check in on a reporter’s family, giving a player a day off for personal reasons, or the many other ways he emphasizes humanity within his team dynamics, he always leads with compassion and a "people-first" approach.

"You showed up after I got drafted. You came to my island. You sat with my friends, my family. You talked with my dad. I thought that was normal. It’s not," said Tim Duncan in his Hall of Fame Speech. "You are an exceptional person. Thank you for teaching me about basketball, but even beyond that, teaching me that it’s not all about basketball. It’s about what’s happening in the world; about your family, for everything."

His coaching style centers on authentic relationships. “It’s not about the game, it’s about the people,” he has said time and again in interviews and press conferences. This belief permeates into the culture he’s built in San Antonio: one that prioritizes mental health and wellness as much as physical performance. Long before mental health became a mainstream topic in professional sports, Popovich was making it clear to his players that being human comes first.

Popovich's advocacy style is unique to him. He leads with a quiet strength, emphasizing listening over speaking. He never intends to command the spotlight when it comes to advocating for mental health or social justice. His advocacy shows up in how he speaks about grief, loss, and emotional strength. After the tragic death of his wife in 2018, Popovich returned to coaching with vulnerability, acknowledging the pain while continuing to be present for his team. His ability to hold space for grief and still show up served as a powerful lesson in resilience and humanity for the entire sports community.

He’s also been supportive of players who have opened up about their mental health journeys, including DeMar DeRozan, who has publicly shared his struggle with depression. He celebrated DeRozan’s courage and made it clear that his mental health struggles were respected in his locker room. Popovich even wrote a foreword for DeRozan's book, Above the Noise, where he commends DeRozan for his strength and vulnerability. “DeMar DeRozan’s story is one of adaptability, courage, and love," he wrote. "The persistent effort on his part to rise above is compelling and important.”

Throughout his legendary 29-year career, Gregg Popovich has set the standard, not just for coaching excellence, but for leadership, compassion, and integrity. Popovich may not wear the title “mental health advocate” on his sleeve, but the impact he has had on normalizing mental wellness, advocating for social justice, and navigating grief in elite sports is undeniable.

After suffering a medical emergency this spring, Popovich will not be returning as the Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs, but will be continuing in a new role in the front office as President of Basketball Operations. Although he won't be on the sidelines, his impact on the NBA will echo through players for generations.

In a field that often emphasizes stats and strength, Popovich reminds us that sometimes, the greatest victories happen off the court, in the quiet moments when a coach chooses care over critique, humanity over hype. His legacy will include the championships, of course. But perhaps more importantly, it will also include the thousands of athletes, coaches, and fans who now understand that mental health is part of the game, and not all of the greatest leaders are the loudest.