Popovich, with the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili, then won three championships over a five-year span from 2003-2007 in one of the great dynasty stretches in recent NBA history. The Spurs made it back to the Finals twice after that run under Popovich’s leadership, first in 2013 before they picked up his fifth title in 2014.

Popovich has been with the Spurs for nearly 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988-92, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He fired coach Bob Hill and appointed himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.

Gregg Popovich's historic 29-year run as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs has come to an end, he announced Friday. ESPN's Shams Charania first reported Popovich was stepping down but would remain with the Spurs as he transitions to a full-time role as team president.