Shams: Mitch Johnson Named Spurs New Head Coach

[ace3g]

[The Truth #6]

On a tangent, I can see the argument that having another year of CP3 would be helpful with his experience et cetera, guiding the young coach. But I think it's the opposite. I think Mitch leaned on CP3 last year, which is understandable, but this year he needs to get his assistant coaches lined up, and then begin with his own vision.

Now, do I think the FO will change the assistant coaches at all? Probably not one bit. But they should. Continuity only goes so far when we are trending in the wrong direction. A young European coach. An old experienced former NBA head coach. Something.

[Joseph Kony]

welp. we're stuck with him, for better or worse. gotta hope he can show us he actual coaching chops next season and I truly hope he realizes how important a good team defense is and does something to instill it. the constant overhelping and leaving dudes wide open at the three point line philosophy needs to end

interested to see if Mitch gets to fill out his own coaching staff or if we keep the same guys

[exstatic]

welp. we're stuck with him, for better or worse. gotta hope he can show us he actual coaching chops next season and I truly hope he realizes how important a good team defense is and does something to instill it. the constant overhelping and leaving dudes wide open at the three point line philosophy needs to end

interested to see if Mitch gets to fill out his own coaching staff or if we keep the same guys

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.

[spurraider21]

failing upwards is fun

[Obstructed_View]

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.

Good. Assistant coaches have been utter for several years. Mitch would be wise to hire all new assistants who are better coaches than he is.

[Ice009]

I think Bret Brown leaves. He wasn’t the top assistant, and seemed to be there to keep Pop company. Not a coaching move, but it wouldn’t shock me if Will Sevening left,since only Pop probably kept him from leaving before.

If I am remembering right, didn't Mitch say in the introduction that he leaned on Brett Brown the most? Seemed like he was very tight with Brett Brown. I kind of didn't like hearing that as Brett's teams haven't had the best records (not that it's all Brett's fault on those tanking Philadelphia teams).

[scott]

On a tangent, I can see the argument that having another year of CP3 would be helpful with his experience et cetera, guiding the young coach. But I think it's the opposite. I think Mitch leaned on CP3 last year, which is understandable, but this year he needs to get his assistant coaches lined up, and then begin with his own vision.

Now, do I think the FO will change the assistant coaches at all? Probably not one bit. But they should. Continuity only goes so far when we are trending in the wrong direction. A young European coach. An old experienced former NBA head coach. Something.

Well at a very minimum I do think they'll add at least one more assistant, since right now the staff is short one assistant that Pop started with last year (that being Mitch). And I seem to recall Pop having more assistants in the past. Right now the staff is only Mitch, Brett Brown, Matt Nielsen, and Will Sevening which is light.

I do think that Mitch would really benefit by having some more vets on the team, with or without CP3. If they bring back the same team less CP3 and add two rookies - that's a tough ask of Mitch. Any coach benefits from having solid vets on the team, but especially a young inexperienced coach like Mitch.

[LeBowen]

I wouldn't mind another year of CP3 if he's limited to ~15 minutes and mutually exclusive with Fox.
We need at least one more well respected veteran, either backup PG or C, depending on how the draft goes.

[SpursBills]

Does Pop stepping down as head coach affect his $16 million/year contract at all? Just wondering if the difference in salaries between Pop and Mitch mean that the Spurs FO has more money to throw at quality assistant coaches to fill out Mitch's staff.

[tonight...you]

Does Pop stepping down as head coach affect his $16 million/year contract at all? Just wondering if the difference in salaries between Pop and Mitch mean that the Spurs FO has more money to throw at quality assistant coaches to fill out Mitch's staff.

There is no salary cap on coaches.
Either the Owners are willing to pay for top coaching talent to maximize the roster, or they're not.

[daslicer]

I'm not expecting or suggesting anything ridiculous. Nor am I saying he can't evolve into a strong leader. Nor am I saying he should be an asshole. He has most of the traits needed. I'm just saying he needs to be an asshole, so to speak, when needed, and can't only be the smart quiet guy. Just my opinion. I mean, is he going to yell at Victor the way Pop would yell at Tim? It sounds like a stupid detail but to me it's important.

I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

[ismael-robert]

He was directed to tank n he followed instructions. Geeze give the guy a break it wasn't a real season

[RC_Drunkford]

If I am remembering right, didn't Mitch say in the introduction that he leaned on Brett Brown the most? Seemed like he was very tight with Brett Brown. I kind of didn't like hearing that as Brett's teams haven't had the best records (not that it's all Brett's fault on those tanking Philadelphia teams).

yes, he did. As usual exstatic is not watching or reading anything, but just making stuff up

[SpursBills]

There is no salary cap on coaches.
Either the Owners are willing to pay for top coaching talent to maximize the roster, or they're not.

I think they're too cheap to pay for top coaching talent unless they're getting savings from elsewhere. That's why I wonder if Pop is still getting paid what he is as just POBO now that he's stepped down as coach.

[exstatic]

I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

Kerr.

[Russ]

It's time for irrational hope on many fronts.

[Jordan Jackson]

Coaches aren’t running around yelling at their players anymore. This ain’t the 1990s. That’s not a sign of strength or leadership either. Players want you to be truthful and treat everyone fairly.

Mitch should choose his staff with the front offices’ help.

Off the top of my head - you’re only allowed 4 front of bench assistants. And then you can have as many as you want behind the bench. Pretty sure Spurs have additional assistant coaches they just carry different les.

I think Brett is safe as long as he wants to be here. He is “Spurs Family”.

And why would they fire Will Sevening? He’s the team’s athletic trainer not an assistant.

At the end of the day, it won’t matter who is coaching this team until they fix this roster.

[The Truth #6]

I'm not even saying Mitch is a good or bad signing but I'm saying there is no current coach in the NBA that fits the mold of a guy that can be an asshole when needed. Name me any coach currently in the playoffs that has the ability to be an asshole when needed? I don't see it.

Pop for starters (Edit- didn't see the playoff part, he gained respect from players for yelling at Tim, so I think it still has validity in small doses. which is all I've been saying.)).

Coaches totally can turn it on and off imo. Coaches can start yelling when they want to get ejected for example. Coaching inherently has a performative element to it.

[Seventyniner]

Another good article from The Ringer, with a lot of Popovich content. Number Two with the most relevant quote.

https://www.theringer.com/2025/05/07...oach-addiction

“He coached until pretty much he couldn’t, in a sense,” Leonard told reporters over the weekend. “It shows how much dedication he had to the game, how much he loved the game, and how much he gave to the game.”

Makes me wonder how long Pop would have tried to keep coaching if he hadn't had the stroke.

[daslicer]

Pop for starters (Edit- didn't see the playoff part, he gained respect from players for yelling at Tim, so I think it still has validity in small doses. which is all I've been saying.)).

Coaches totally can turn it on and off imo. Coaches can start yelling when they want to get ejected for example. Coaching inherently has a performative element to it.

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

[TekXX]

I think it's time to realize that the Spurs aren't coming back anytime soon. We're nothing but a money making investment by rich assholes. We have entered our Jerry Jones era. Fanduel can go themselves next year if they want $20 a month for this crap.

[Splits]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

[The Truth #6]

Again, you can't name a coach currently in the NBA that can do it. The type of coach you want doesn't exist anymore outside of Mike Malone. I'm not saying yelling isn't effective. I'm saying the type of coach you want no longer exists. It would be great if we could find it but it's not out there. I guess you can say in college a guy like Dan Hurley would be that guy.

I think you are mistaking me saying our coach can't be too shy and meek to be effective as somehow saying I'm advocating for Bobby Knight.

Coaching needs different skills and approaches. The fact that Pop would yell at Tim when needed, not every day, and that it's a story told by dozens of different people, suggests to me that, yeah, as a leader sometimes you have to exert dominance. I'm struggling to see how that is controversial.

I don't get your focus on coaches in the playoffs right NOW. That's an arbitrary distinction that to me isn't indicative of the greater point.

[The Truth #6]

I know what didn't work. Steve Nash as a coach. Super nice guy. Tried to lead collaboratively. Didn't want to be too strong of a leader or set boundaries. He got destroyed. Anyway. It's all up to Mitch now to figure out what he needs to do.