Gregg Popovich Coaching Tree: 3 most successful pupils feat. Steve Kerr
In 1996, Gregg Popovich took over as the coach of the San Antonio Spurs. It was a historic moment for the franchise and turned out to be the start of an incredible run that propelled the Spurs into one of the most successful organizations in the NBA. Nearly three decades later, Popovich remains the Spurs coach, but his reach and influence goes far beyond San Antonio.
Popovich is one of the most decorated coaches in league history. He has won five NBA championships and has been named the NBA Coach of the Year on three occasions. He has also had tremendous success with the USA men's national team, winning the Olympic gold in 2021.
Perhaps more important than his individiual accolades, are the players and coaches he has mentored along the way. A handful of NBA and college coaches have links to the 75-year-old guru and learned their trade from the legendary tactician.
We take a look at three of the most successful coaches to have worked alongside Gregg Popovich.
Gregg Popovich's 3 most successful pupils
#3. Ime Udoka
Ime Udoka's stock shot up after leading the Boston Celtics to the 2021-22 NBA finals in just his first year on the job. Although Udoka only has two years of head coaching experience under his belt, he has plenty of experience in the league as a player and assistant.
Between 2007-2009, the forward played under Gregg Popovich's Spurs team. After retiring from the game, he was named an assistant coach for San Antonio and spent seven seasons under the Spurs head coach. Udoka also worked with Popovich on the international level, representing Team USA as an assistant at the World Cup and the Olympics.
Now with the Houston Rockets, Udoka is looking to build his own legacy after learning from one of basketball's great minds.
#2. Mike Budenholzer
It has been over a decade since Mike Budenholzer and Gregg Popovich last worked together but the protege has evolved into one of the league's top coaches since starting as an assistant with the Spurs. Budenholzer worked with the organization for 17 seasons and was a part of a golden age in Spurs basketball, where it won four championships over nine seasons.
Budenholzer became the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks before moving to the Milwaukee Bucks where he won a championship. The two-time NBA coach of the year has now found a new home with the Phoenix Suns.
#1. Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr played the final seasons of his NBA career as a vital role player under Popovich in San Antonio. He was a member of the 1999 and 2003 teams that won the NBA finals. The knowledge he gained under Gregg Popovich turned out to be a key factor in Kerr's future success as a coach.
Following his retirement in 2003, Kerr remained involved with the game but only became a coach in 2014 when the Golden State Warriors came calling. It turned out to be a match made in heaven with Kerr leading the franchise to four NBA championships and six NBA finals over an eight-year period.
Kerr was named the NBA coach of the Year in 2016 after leading the Warriors to a incredible 73-9 regular-season record.
In 2024, he lead the USA men's national team to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
As a player, Kerr worked with some of the game's best and had plenty of success, and won five rings. He is now using that valuable experience in his coaching career.