On Wednesday afternoon, the U.S. Air Force Academy announced their 2019 Air Force Athletics Hall of Fame class. Headlining their class is decorated San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Via the Air Force Academy's Twitter:
.@NBA legend and @spurs head coach, Greg Popovich, headlines our 2019 #AirForce Athletics Hall of Fame class. ⤵️https://t.co/s39W3ld5gn
— U.S. Air Force Academy (@AF_Academy) February 13, 2019
Popovich played four seasons with the Academy, serving as the team captain his senior year. He was one of the best shooters in the school's history, as his 54.1% field goal percentage ranks third all time. Upon graduating, Popovich served in the Air Force, playing for the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team and being selected the team's captain in 1972.
Popovich's coaching career began in 1973 when he returned to the Academy as an assistant coach. He held the position for six years before leaving to become the head coach at Pomona-Pitzer.
In 1988, he was hired as an assistant coach for the Spurs. He spent some time with the Golden State Warriors after then-owner Red McCombs cut the entire coaching staff in 1992.
The Spurs re-hired Popovich as the team's General Manager in 1994, and he has been with the organization ever since. After a slow start to the 1996-97 season, Popovich named himself the team's head coach as well. From there, he truly began his legendary NBA coaching career.
Popovich led the Spurs to five championships – in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. He is a three-time Coach of the Year recipient. His 1230 wins as a coach rank third-most in NBA history, behind only Lenny Wilkens (1332) and Don Nelson (1335). Popovich now serves as both the team's head coach and its president.
The 70-year-old will be in attendance for the Academy's Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The ceremony will be held on May 4.
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