Gregg Popovich has two kids named Micky Popovich and Jill Popovich. Gregg tied the knot with his wife Erin Popovich on 10 October 1976.
Before starting a career in coaching, Popovich served five years of civic duty in the United States Air Force. After successfully completing Air Force intelligence training, he briefly explored the possibility of a career with the CIA.
However, his passion for basketball dragged him to embark on a coaching career at the Air Force Academy. He joined San Antonio Spurs in 1988 as an assistant coach and became vice president of the club in 1996.
The seven-time All-Star former NBA player Tracy McGrady was in complete awe of Gregg and his phenomenal coaching style during his tenure at Spurs in the 2013 season.
Apart from the managerial role, the 74-year-old also acts as the executive of San Antonio Spurs. Under his regime, the franchise enjoyed the most success, winning the NBA championship titles five times.
Gregg Popovich Children
Gregg Popovich is a proud father to his son Micky Popovich and daughter Jill Popovich. Micky is the elder one, whereas Jill is the youngest.
Coach Pop became a dad for the first time in 1977 with the birth of Micky. Two years later, the family extended to four with the arrival of Jill.
The delighted Popovich couple embraced the joy of parenthood and did their best in the upbringing of their offspring. Moreover, Gregg Popovich also has two grandchildren.
Despite the fame and public attention that surrounds the legendary coach, both of his offspring have remained enigmatic figures, shrouding their personal lives in secrecy and abstaining from any overt interactions with the media or social networking platforms.
Even with his pedigree as a successful coaching career, Gregg still finds it difficult to get over the heartbreaking losses on the court. After the Spurs' loss to the Heat in the 2013 NBA Finals, which took a toll on Pop's mental state for the following season.
However, Gregg Popovich daughter Jill helped him escape it by giving him a reality check. She reminded him that he had already won four championships and that losing is always a part of the game.
She told him to get over himself and move on. Gregg found it amusing that his young girl was using the same advice he had given to others, and it helped him on the path to recovery.
Gregg Married Life With Erin
Gregg Popovich wife Erin Popovich passed away on 10 April 2018, at the age of 67. Erin was a native of Colorado Springs.
Born on January 5, 1951, to Jim Conboy, she graduated from Colorado University. Conboy was an athletic trainer for the Air Force Falcons.
Gregg began dating Erin in the 1970s when he was an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy. They became best friends at first and later walked down the aisle with the promise to stay together forever.
In 1979, Gregg became the head coach at Pomona Pitzer, and Erin moved with him to Southern California.
Pop has a reputation for being sometimes uncooperative or disenchanting to the media. In the past, he even joked that Erin would tell him to be nicer to reporters.
Erin Was Philanthropist
Mrs. Popovich was the epitome of philanthropy work and dedicated her whole life to helping those in need. She enjoyed working with charities in her free time, and one of her favorite causes was the San Antonio Food Bank.
After a long battle with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which was kept confidential for a significant period, her health deteriorated after being diagnosed with the disease in the 90s.
Despite her struggles, she never complained and wanted to use her energy to support patients less fortuitous than herself.
The tragic passing of Erin left a significant impact on the NBA community, and even LeBron James was deeply affected upon receiving the news from a TNT reporter.
Furthermore, Erin's legacy lives on as she touched the lives of many through her selflessness and charity work. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and advocate for those in need.
Gregg Popovich Family
Gregg Popovich family hails from a small town in East Chicago, Indiana. He was born to parents Raymond Popovich and Katherine Popovich.
His father Raymond came from a Serbian household, whereas Katherine's origin lies in Croatia. Though they were happily married initially, Gregg's mom and dad parted ways when he was studying in fifth grade.
As a result, the five-time NBA champion head coach did not have a sound childhood. After the divorce, his mom left the family and went to live in the diminutive locality of Merrillville, Lake County.
For Gregg, the transition was replete with difficulty, as evidenced by a poignant memory of his mother Katherine kicking him out of their home in the aftermath of the divorce, a moment that still lingers in his mind to this day.