The Memphis Grizzlies announced the team has named Tuomas Iisalo as head coach.
“I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward,” said Grizzlies President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Zachary Z. Kleiman. “Tuomas’ teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis.”
Iisalo was appointed interim head coach on March 28, 2025 to replace Taylor Jenkins, and guided the Grizzlies to the NBA Playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. He originally was hired by Memphis on July 7, 2024, as the lead assistant coach following a decorated coaching career in Europe.
Before coming to Memphis, Iisalo captured the 2023-24 EuroCup championship and EuroCup Coach of the Year award in his first season as head coach of Paris Basketball. The architect of the top offense in competition history, Iisalo led Paris to a 20-1 record and the title in the club’s second EuroCup season.
The San Antonio Spurs announced that the organization has named Mitch Johnson as the team’s new head coach.
Johnson becomes the 19th head coach in San Antonio franchise history. He takes over for Gregg Popovich after the Hall of Famer transitioned into the president of basketball operations role following his 29 seasons as head coach. After Popovich stepped away from the team for health reasons five games into last year, Johnson was appointed the Spurs acting head coach for the remaining 77 games of the 2024-25 season.
“We are thrilled for Mitch Johnson to be our next head coach,” said Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt. “Throughout his decade in the organization we have seen that Mitch has the right values, poise and potential to lead us into the future.”
Entering his 10th season with the Spurs, Johnson started with the organization in 2016 as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s G League affiliate, where he helped guide the team to the 2018 G League Championship. He has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach on Popovich’s staff, including five of those years on the front of the bench after he was promoted in 2020.
Prior to joining the Spurs, Johnson spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland in 2015-16 after coaching in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. He played collegiately at Stanford University as a four-year starter with Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez and Landry Fields, before spending three seasons in the G League and overseas in Europe. Johnson is the son of 12-year NBA veteran John Johnson and has four children – Tasia, Tatum, Johnnie and Jameson – with his wife, Jessica.
“I am truly grateful and honored to receive this incredible opportunity,” said Johnson. “I am thankful for Coach Pop, RC, Brian and Peter trusting me to carry on our culture and I promise to give this responsibility everything I have to make Spurs fans proud.”
Gregg Popovich will no longer serve as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and will transition to a full time role as Team President. Popovich suffered a mild stroke at the beginning of the 24-25 season and Mitch Johnson served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” said Popovich. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”
Popovich won five NBA championships as head coach and is the all-time winningest head coach. Popovich assumed head coaching duties for the Spurs in 1996.
“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” said Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”
Popovich has long run the Spurs’ front office as head coach alongside RC Buford and Brian Wright. Popovich has been involved throughout the Spurs’ offseason and will continue to be a vital member of the franchise’s day-to-day operations.
Popovich has been making progress in his recovery from the November stroke, but he came to the conclusion that he could no longer continue with the physical rigors of being on the sidelines.
Popovich was hospitalized on April 15th after a medical incident at a restaurant in San Antonio. Popovich returned home in the days after and has been feeling better.
