Gregg Popovich served as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs from 1996 until 2025, achieving a record 1,390 regular-season wins, 170 playoff victories, and securing five NBA championships. Interestingly, during four of those title runs and numerous other successes, one of his assistant coaches was the ex-husband of his new wife.
At age 77, Popovich recently married Mary Barth Budenholzer on September 16, as confirmed by the Bexar County clerk’s office in Texas. Mary, 61, from Corpus Christi, was previously married to Mike Budenholzer, who worked as an assistant coach under Popovich from 1996 to 2013 before becoming the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns, winning an NBA title with the Bucks in 2021. The Budenholzers share four children and ended their marriage in 2016.
Popovich was married to Erin Popovich for 40 years until her passing in 2018 at age 67. Together, they had two children and several grandchildren.
On November 2, 2024, Popovich suffered a stroke before a game at the Spurs’ home venue, the Frost Bank Center. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson stepped in as interim coach and was later named the permanent head coach on May 2, 2025, coinciding with Popovich’s retirement after 29 years leading San Antonio.
Having been part of the Spurs’ front office since 1994, Popovich currently holds the position of president of basketball operations. He was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Fan Take: This news marks the end of an era for NBA coaching legends and underscores the deep, intertwined relationships behind the scenes in professional basketball. For fans, Popovich’s legacy is not only about wins but also about the unique personal and professional dynamics that shaped modern NBA culture.
Source: www.yahoo.com
