“I was the biggest wise-a** you ever saw, and all I gave a damn about was playing ball,” Gregg Popovich said in a 2012 interview with the U.S. Army Installation Management Command. Wait, army? What’s Pop got to do with the army? The simple answer—the 75-year-old is a US Force Veteran.

There’s no doubt all those following the Spurs legendary coach and his life would be aware of this. But for the uninitiated, let’s quickly dive into a few details about Popovich’s army life and a few other details.

When Gregg Popovich cried himself to sleep, courtesy of tough military service

Popovich’s journey through the Air Force Academy was a challenging experience that helped shape his resilience and discipline. He initially underestimated how demanding the academy would be, admitting once that it “kicked all our [butts],” forcing him to grow. The 6’3″ former guard majored in Soviet studies and graduated in 1970 after four years, during which he led the Falcons in scoring as a senior.

Following graduation, Gregg Popovich completed five years of active-duty service. His first assignment was with the 6594th Support Group at the Air Force Satellite Control Facility in California, where he helped operate top-secret spy satellites monitoring Soviet missile launches. His love for basketball continued, and he joined the U.S. Armed Forces Basketball Team, traveling to cities in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, including Moscow, Kyiv, and Vilnius, as part of a goodwill tour.

Later in his service, he was stationed at Diyarbakir Air Station in Turkey, where he monitored Soviet launches. After returning to the U.S., he coached high school at the Air Force preparatory school and college-aged cadets at the Air Force Academy, earning an Air Force Commendation Medal. He also received several other honors, such as the National Defense Service Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, eventually reaching the rank of major by the time he left the reserves in 1993.

The Indiana native continued at the Academy for the next six years under the then-head coach, Hank Egan, who later assisted Popovich with the Spurs. Finally, it was in 1988 that the major move happened. The one that changed his life forever.

“Larry Brown came knocking on my door one day. I don’t know why, but he did. We sat down and said, ‘Let’s give it a shot.'” he recounted. And the rest is history!

What is Pop’s net worth?

Arguably the greatest coach in the history of the NBA, the Spurs have benefitted greatly under his tutelage. Since he took over as head coach in 1996, San Antonio has lifted the Larry O’Brien five times. They have won the conference titles six times and the division titles 14 times.

Moreover, the man himself has taken home Coach of the Year awards three times and was named to the Top 15 coaches in NBA history, as well. As such, what is the net worth of Gregg Popovich? According to Celebrity Net Worth, Coach Pop has an estimated $50 million net worth.

Coach Popovich’s contract and earnings

From 2018 to 2023, Gregg Popovich earned about $8 million each year as the Spurs’ head coach. In July 2023, he signed a 5-year, $80 million contract, which doubled his salary to $16 million per year, making him the highest-paid coach in NBA history once again. He briefly lost that title to Monty Williams, who signed a 6-year, $78.5 million deal in June 2023. Monty held the record for just a month before Popovich reclaimed it!

As Gregg Popovich continues to make history with the San Antonio Spurs, his legacy both on and off the court is truly inspiring. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his remarkable journey, there’s always more to learn about Coach Pop’s incredible life.

Keep checking this space for more news about the Spurs and their legendary coach.