Pop’s Playbook: Empathy, Honesty & Five Rings
Gregg Popovich is truly a great coach, known for his tremendous record and success in the NBA.
Over 29 NBA seasons, Pop has become synonymous with winning:
2,214 Games
1,390 Wins
824 Losses
.628 Win %
3x Coach-of-Year
5x Championships
He has coached legendary players like David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Steve Kerr, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. While he often appeared cranky over the years, stories from those who played for him, coached with him, and interacted with him reveal his true superpower: a quirky and authentic ability to connect. He possesses a deep sense of caring and an incredible capacity for empathy. Notably, his exceptional expertise in basketball X's and O's, though significant, is not the primary focus here. We will explore two examples: how he handled cutting a player from his team and his beautiful relationship with the late Craig Sager.
So many stories of his interaction with others illustrate the heart and mind of Coach Popovich.
The Foundation of a Coach:
Before he became one of the most respected and successful coaches in NBA history, Gregg Popovich was just a kid growing up in the blue-collar town of East Chicago, Indiana. Born on January 28, 1949, Popovich was raised in a working-class home by his Serbian father, Raymond, who worked in a steel mill, and his Croatian mother, Katherine, who instilled in him the values of discipline and resilience that would later define his coaching career.
Life in East Chicago wasn’t glamorous, but it was formative. Popovich attended Merrillville High School, where he began to show promise not only as a basketball player but also as a natural leader. He carried that same drive into college, earning a spot at the United States Air Force Academy, where he played basketball and served as team captain. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in Soviet studies — a nod to his intellect and curiosity beyond the hardwood.
His time at the Academy set the tone for what would become a deeply principled and structured approach to coaching. He didn’t just lead with tactics — he led with character, and that foundation began long before he ever stood courtside in San Antonio.
The Personal Life of Gregg Popovich: Family, Love, and Loss
Behind the fierce competitiveness and intense focus of Gregg Popovich was a deeply rooted love story. Popovich was married to Erin Popovich for over four decades — a private but powerful presence in his life.
Erin was more than a supportive spouse. She was the daughter of Jim Ferguson, a former Air Force Academy athletic trainer, which is how she and Gregg first met during his time at the Academy. Their shared background in discipline, family values, and humility created a strong bond.
Together, Gregg and Erin had two children, a son and a daughter — although Popovich has always kept his family life incredibly private, rarely speaking about his children publicly to protect their privacy.
Coach Popovich Quote
In April 2018, tragedy struck when Erin passed away after a long illness. The NBA community rallied around Popovich, and his stoic but emotional response revealed a rarely seen vulnerability. Her death deeply affected him, and many close to the Spurs say he’s never quite been the same.
Popovich's family life, much like his coaching career, has been marked by loyalty, integrity, and quiet strength — qualities that continue to inspire players, peers, and leaders well beyond the world of basketball.
Empathy and Direct Communication:
“Effective leadership hinges on a genuine conviction to care for others, which fosters the ability and desire to understand their experiences. This empathetic foundation enables leaders to deliver direct communication, be it praise or difficult coaching, that is readily accepted by the recipient because they perceive the source as genuinely caring.”
In 2007, during a preseason game, Keith Langford of the San Antonio Spurs was anxiously awaiting the final roster cuts. He was surprised when head coach Gregg Popovich personally delivered the news that he was being cut. Popovich explained that while Langford was a good player, he lacked aggression compared to another player. Popovich's empathetic and direct approach, including a hug, left a lasting impression on Langford.
Shortly after, the Spurs called Langford back. Popovich again sat down with him, reviewing their previous conversation and the areas Langford needed to improve. This demonstrated Popovich's unique ability to have tough conversations, connect with players, and foster a culture of discipline and clear expectations, which Langford deeply appreciated.
“He just had a way,” Langford said. “He was in tune, and I had never felt that or had that in my lifetime.”
Coach Popovich’s handling of what many coaches find to be the most difficult part of the job—releasing a player—stands in stark contrast to the common approach. This gut wrenching task can desensitize coaches over hundreds or thousands of repetitions, hardening them to the real-life consequences for players.
Popovich, even in his 11th year, approached his interaction with Keith Langford not as just another cut among hundreds or thousands. Instead, he fully engaged with Langford during this monumental and challenging moment in the player's life.
Unmatched Depth of Caring
A December 15, 2016 Yahoo Sports article detailed his relationship with Craig Sager: Popovich had a unique and caring relationship with the late sideline reporter Craig Sager. When Sager was battling cancer, Popovich spoke emotionally about him during a mid-game interview, highlighting Sager's courage and character. He also continued to check in on Sager and his family, even during the playoffs, calling and sending letters that deeply impacted Sager. This showed a side of Popovich beyond his often "cranky" on-screen persona, revealing his deep concern for people.
Here are a few excerpts from this story:
“He called me four or five times in the next month to check on me and my dad,” said Craig II(Junior), and remember, Pop and the Spurs were in the heat of the playoff run. Pop’s timing was downright surreal, too.
“He called the day of my sister Krista’s graduation from the University of Georgia, because my dad couldn’t make it,” said Junior. “And this was before a game against Portland.”
Popovich kept calling and writing the father, who savored it all. Sager won’t reveal much of what Pop said to him, choosing to keep such matters private, except to say the calls and letters “were beyond belief.” Sager did allow that Pop mentioned how “we’re a team.” Meaning, Pop and Sager. Cranky coach (but a softie underneath) and sideline reporter. Imagine that.
After Sager was cleared to return to work for the start of the 2015-16 NBA season, we were all waiting for his reunion with Pop … including Pop, according to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch:
Sager said returning to work was a huge motivator as were all the well wishes from professional colleagues and fans (he received a lot of cards). Last week while at home, the phone rang from a familiar voice. He recounted the dialogue:
“Sager?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s Coach Pop,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “How you doing, pal? I see you are coming back to work?”
“Yeah, I am,” Sager replied.
“Does that mean that this pity party is over now?” Popovich bellowed. “Does this mean I can go back to not answering your questions and making fun of your clothes?”
Said Sager: “I wouldn’t have it another way.”
Pop Quotes
Coach Popovich Quote
“No one is bigger than the team. If you can’t do things our way, you’re not getting time here and we don’t care who you are.”
"No one is bigger than the team," a philosophy Greg Popovich espoused even with superstars like David Robinson and Tim Duncan on The Spurs. This powerful quote highlights his approach to team dynamics. How did he manage to foster this ethos while still catering to the talents of players like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili? The answer lies in his commitment to empathy and direct communication
“Basketball is a pretty simple game. What wins is consistency and competitiveness.”
You don’t win by doing it once in awhile, you do it everyday. Competing is working to be your best at all times.
“The measure of who we are is how we react to something that doesn’t go our way.”
It’s easy to be positive and emotionally centered when things are going the way you want them to. It’s when things aren’t going your way that you can really see what someone is made of.
3 lessons we can learn today from Coach Popovich.
Lead with empathy - care and seek to understand.
Direct communication - if you care then you can be direct and honest and that creates a great culture.
Caring for someone is not just words it results in action - You will be there when its hard.
Whether you’re a business leader, employee, parent, or student, Gregg Popovich’s story proves that excellence and empathy are not opposites—they’re partners. Now retired from the bench and serving solely as the Spurs’ president of basketball operations, Pop leaves a legacy of sincere caring in the midst of championship drives—a standard any of us can chase.
If you would like to brainstorm ideas on how to incorporate Coach Popovich’s lessons into your business and life, please reach out to me. Click here to be taken directly to my booking page.
Until next time - Expect to Win!
#xp2win | #ChasingBetter
