What you should know about Spurs interim coach Mitch Johnson

SAN ANTONIO – After the San Antonio Spurs announced Monday that head coach Gregg Popovich is leaving the team indefinitely due to illness, the public is wondering about the team's interim selection.

Mitch Johnson was named at the helm after the team announced Popovich's situation related to an undisclosed illness.

The Spurs said Popovich missed Saturday's home win against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

According to the Associated Press, Johnson was informed of Popovich's unavailability hours before Saturday's game.

Johnson will be head coach for the third time and will lead the team on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Johnson joined the Spurs organization in 2016 as an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs and spent time under head coaches Ken McDonald and Blake Ahearn.

In 2019, he joined Popovich as an assistant.

Johnson was born in Seattle, Washington. He graduated from Stanford University.

According to the National Basketball Coaches Association, Johnson had a three-year professional career, spending time in the NBA G League.

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