Mitchell Chase Johnson – 1st Person Plural
Mitch Johnson was named interim head coach of the San Antonio Spurs on:
November 5, 2024
… after head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a stroke.
Coach Johnson later transitioned from the interim role to the full-time head coach of the Spurs on:
May 2, 2025 .
Date June 1, 2026
Title: 1st Person Plural
Coach Mitch Johnson speaks most often in the first person plural, which is the word “WE”. The first person singular is “I”
An observation made in dozens of 2026 pregame and post game San Antonio Spurs interviews.
- MINDSET WILL OFTEN BE EXPRESSED
Grammar Lesson Examples For Basketball Coaches (Humor intended):
First Person Singular: “I am a great coach. I am the best coach in the entire world . (maybe on Pluto as well). My work is impeccable!
First Person Plural: We are great coaches, We are the best coaches in the entire world . ( We know Doctor Cricket Dunkenstein is the best coach on Pluto). Our work is impeccable!
Coach Mitchell is the BEST Coach in the NBA Western Conference 2026 season! Best … greatest
Funny?
Ok, no, then, maybe you will find humor in our presentation on Michael & The Cricket.
Title: Ditch Mitch & Burn Big Red
Extra Verbal Coaching- Player Interview Suggestion Lessons:
‘Definitely the most, best … opps … one of the most, … one of the best … articulate, not the most, … just one of the … … .
Coach Mitch often says, ‘one of the best’ … … indicating a clear thought of expression.
Add this grammar verbal tip to using 1 person plural, and you have a Stanford education. (humor intended)
‘Ditch Mitch & Burn Big Red’ remains under construction as a online presentation.
Website: Michael & The Cricket
Presentation Title: / Ditch Mitch & Burn Big Red
Draft: June 13, 2026 /
Completion Date July 2026 /
Topic: … … HISTORICAL COACHING DISMISSAL MISTAKES.
/ The ‘Chirpping Birds’ calling for Coaoches to be dismissed.
Satirical Theme Presentation
… the (32-1 ) Ward Smith Coaching dismissal / The Dean Smith effigy burning, as per ow it relates to Mitchell C. Johnson and Sean Sweeney.
Mitch Johnson after game 5 loss in 2025-26 NBA finals, end of season.
Question 1
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(1) Question: Mitch, I know it’s early, do you look at this whole experience, beating Oklahoma City in seven games, hard fought series with the Knicks, it’s just a building block for what you guys want to do in the future.
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
It’s a little early to go there, but yea, we’ve been, … blood, sweat and tears for nine months, basically …
It’s Over!
And so we have plenty of time for reflection, yea on the surface level I don’t think anybody other than the people in that room expected us to be here. So there is a lot of good in that, and there is a lot of pain. Both things can be true.
Question 2
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(2) Question: Coach, when you look at the five games in this series and the four loses specifically, …common thread is in the loss of leads, was there something present in your mind in all four of those contest? Dip game difference, you know by nature of the game …
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
Yes, there is a lot that goes into it. But the simple, consistency, we didn’t deserve to win the game.
There is a lot of, … execution, …there could be rebounding … there could be end of the game … details … . Starting the game where you get the lead, and then you don’t sustain that … . But the NBA games are long. It happens during the regular season too. It’s just everything is much more on stage during the finals, when everybody is watching. And … ummm …
WE WERE NOT READY TO WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP.
The better team won. We did a lot of good things, and we didn’t finish the job. And that’s what it is.
Question 3
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(3) Question: Mitch what’s the first thing you told them, whenever you walk into the locker room? … … not just the season itself , but a game like this … , and a series like this?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I’m not going to get into what I said, but the general sentiment is just, I want them to feel all the emotions, I want that, I feel that too, so whatever they feel, it’s real. … that’s what is competitive in this, … that’s what makes you better, that’s what pushes you to continue to improve, in the dark, long hours, when nobody is around, …
And we improved a whole lot this year, and now, we still have a lot now, and more motivation to get better.
Question 4
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(4) Question: Coach as you guys begin to process these emotions the next few days ( Coach Johnson leans in to hear the question … NY Knicks crowd celebrating on court …noise )… What do you make of the season that Dylan Harper has had, and the way he has impacted you guys on both ends of the floor, as a rookie? Is it hard to believe he is only twenty years old?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I am just really proud of him and Carter ust because they are both rookies. so I’m gonna take the opportunity to just … … the way they trusted the program and allowed us to educate us on corporate knowledge, and what it menat to be a professional basketball player, and a player for the San Antonio Spurs. We saw their talent, they are guarding MVP’s …
Question 5
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(5) Questi?n: Coach Jalen Brunson scored 45 points, what do you wish your team had done differently/
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
Uh, score less points.
Question 6
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(6) Question: hey, coach, a follow-up on Jalen Brunson, What got him going so early … he was like, the only knick player able to score in the first half? what got him going … in your opinion?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
He’s aggressive, he got to spots, and we were un- discpline at times. they had 37 points at half, so there was some good in that as well. He got going, and he got going later on, he is a heck of a player. He deserves every thing he got.
Question 7
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(7) Question: Mitch, was what the Knicks were doing tonight bother Steph, and was D’Aaron feeling some of the after effects from game six?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I think … I don’t want to get a … … too big of a picture … a lot of teams have a group of people that have played together in these situation …
Question 8
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(8) Question: Coach what do you have to say to the disappointed Spur fans?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
… We love our fans, … we feel the support from the 210 … … we will be here, … we get the schedule , we will be better …
Question 8.5
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(8.5) Question: What do you hope the players take from the totality of the season, to fuel them going forward, … while listening to the other team celebrate a championship on their home floor?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I hope they take the same thing we have taken from our success. I hope it leads them to be hungrier than they have ever been … I hope it leads them to be more motivated than they have ever been … And hopefully it leads them to, ya, … just improve in every facet.
Question 9
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(9) Question: Mitch, was what the Knicks were doing tonight bother Steph, and was D’Aaron feeling some of the after effects from game six?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I think … I don’t want to get a … … too big of a picture … a lot of teams have a group of people that have played together in these situation …
Question 10
Head Spurs Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson ‘s
Post game Interview – Game five (5) of the 2026 NBA Finals
Date June 13, 2026
(10) Question: Mitch, what do you have to say about Victor Wembanyama’s first time in the NBA Finals?
Response: Coach Mitch Johnson:
I think (Victor) … has been great with his leadership and he has grown tremendously … with every moment. … I think he has stepped in without fear … being exactly who he is, … and he brings his team mates along with him. It has been fun to be a part of and observe.
Date June: 12, 2026
Title: Ditch Mitch
By: Doctor Dunkenstein
The chirping birds have already begun to sing, calling for the San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson to be fired. One should not take advice from, nor listen to, birds when making decisions regarding basketball coaches. Anyone who would replace a 39 year-old Coach who just took a team of very young basketball players to the 2026 NBA Finals might be a ‘bird brain’.
Unfortunately, Coach Mitch Johnson is going to need to replace his ‘right arm’, Spurs Coach Sean Sweney is taking the Head Coaching job for the Orlando Magic in 2026-27 season, not an easy task to accomplish.
The Spurs made history last night in game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals in New York City, but it was the type of history that a basketball Coach most fears and regrets. The young Spurs blew a 29 point lead and lost by one point to the Knicks in the final play of the game.
The many mistakes of Spurs’ players and coaches could be witnessed throughout a complete second half collapse.
These types of historic losses stick like glue to players and coaches. They provide fuel for the fans and band wagon crew to call for coaching dismissal. Such is the case regarding the very young 39 year old rookie head Coach Mitch Johnson of the Spurs.
We present information within the article: ‘Ditch Mitch’ in the argument that Coach Mitch may have lots to learn, but he is an excellent person for the job. The Spurs organization, and players, are very lucky someone hired him to coach their ‘G League’ team in Austin, TX, many years ago.
Of course being from the Planet Pluto Professional Basketball League, (PPPBL) . I have some hoops knowledge . However, I have absolutely no idea how to coach an NBA basketball team day-to-day, or month-to-month. Nevertheless, there are some basic principles that remain shared between the different terrestrial basketball domains.
One shared principal is that a great championship basketball team needs a great coach. There are many great coaches. They come in many flavors and different sizes. Each has their own unique path and method of achieving success. All great coaches are very noticeable to good players and other coaches on every planet.
Like a person who can taste a fine wine, knowing how it is made is not required. It is simply … …
While closely observing Mitchell C. Johnson coach the San Antonio NBA basketball team for the past nine months, I can say with absolute certainty, The Spurs are lucky to have Mitch Johnson as the head basketball coach. In my opinion, he is very good at his craft. I am willing to also say this young thirty-nine (39) year old Coach is going to turn into a fine wine some day.
Read the articles titled: ‘Ditch Mitch’ which is actually an Antithesis Presentation to the article title.
… antitheses; Greek for “setting opposite”, from ἀντι- “against” and is used in writing or speech either as a proposition that contrasts with or reverses some previously mentioned proposition, … or when two opposites are introduced together for contrasting effect.
Thus, ‘Ditch Mitch’ is the opposite of what its title may suggest, keep Mich, don’t dare ditch Mitch.
The article claims that the Spurs organization should hope and support that Mitch Johnson remains as the Spurs Head Coach for some time. Futures cannot be predicted, nor determined, only desired.
No great coach was born at being a great coach at birth. It takes time, like a fine wine. Just as the grapes in Loire Valley, France, turn into fine wine, Mitch Johnson is going to improve his mastery into a great coach.
‘Ditch Mitch’ is a coaching analysis and critique of some of the difficult situations and decisions made by Spurs Head Coach during the 2026 season. It is not a criticism, quite the opposite, it’s a presentation of ideas for growth.
We have decided to continue: Mitchell Chase Johnson – ‘1st Person Plural into: ‘Ditch Mitch and Burn Big Red’
A presentation regarding the disissal of an undefeated Coach, Ward Smith, who was fired after lossing the State Championship, and the burning in effigy of Coach Dean Smith, as this pertains to Spurs Coaches Mitch Johnson and Sean Sweney.
We anticipate a entertaining presentation, to be completed in July 2026 .. Connect during construction in appropriate advertisement blocks.
Date: June 3, 2026
Time: 04:14 EST
Wednesday / Mission Complete – game 1 NBA Finals /
Carter Byant is ‘Zenyatta”! Yes Zenyata at her 2-3 year old development stage. I wish I could make him listen and read this report on Zenyatta. Then, I would give him a big hug and then a big swat on his ass, yelling giddy up baby boy, run, run run. ( See/View: Blue -Learn More – Zenyatta – Athletic Rarity)
Date: June 3, 2026
Time:14:14 EST
Wednesday
there is a realization reads this report, and if it is read by anyone in the Spurs organization, that will not happen before the season has ended..
But it will nevertheless serve a contribution. Coaching is make difficult decisions, most often, quickly, on the fly, during games, at half time.
Then, in the great power of hind-sight, a Coach goes back and looks at his decisions. The option he chooses versus the other options which were available at the moment of decision. Smart coaches don’t second guess, they analyse. So, perhaps this helps Coach Mitch post game, down the road.
That’s all … game time in 7 hours.
Podcast TAGS (#): Podcast – ‘Big (Big) Brown & (Big) Carter Bryant Athletic Rarity’
Podcasts Published On Site Title Page: ‘Zenyatta’
Tags: 2026 Belmont Stakes, 2026 NBA rookie, basketball development, Belmont Stakes, Breeder Cup Classic, Carter Bryant, horse Big Brown, Kentucky Derby, NBA comparison to Race horses, Podcast – Zenyatta & Carter Bryant Athletic Rarity, race horse, San Antonio Spurs, Thorough Bred, Winner, winner Golden Tempo, Zenyatta
Podcast copy found here: ‘M.C.J. – 1st Person Plural’.
The ‘Key’ to the 2026 NBA Final is;
‘Butt Slapping’ the Young Thorough Bred Basketball Player, Carter Bryant.
Read: ‘Bobby The Butt Slapper’
Podcast & Page found here.
Tha deep analogy comparing professional basketball players to thoroughbred racehorses, specifically highlighting the legendary mare Zenyatta
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT – The NYC Media
To: Coach Mitchell Johnson
The Zen Master, Phillip Jackson, would always create some goofy inside fictional, partially fiction, or a made up character with a name, during the (10) NBA Championship runs.
… I thought maybe Pop did this a little bit too. ..
I loved Coach Greg Popovich being interviewed. Period. I loved hearing what he was communicating. It was not what the media wanted to hear. Their relationship with Pop was great, they were like babies, it was not the relationship the media reported it was, … the real Pop verses the media relationship was HILARIOUSLY funny, He was brilliant dealing with the media …. always insightful … they always tried to prove they knew more than he knew about basketball. The Zen master was great, but Pop was, well , darn clever and funny.
If I could, but I can’t, I would suggest to Coach Mitch, he should begin today doing this diversion media adventure. It works … it would help the team. spur players and coaches are too honest and forthright to the media. ‘Close the door of team information during the 2026 NBA Finals. You can open the door again next year.
Make up the fictional story … … then , you start talking about this fictional creation when you don’t want to be direct with the media,
YOU MUST BE MORE ILLUSIVE WITH NYC Media.
You have never faced what you are about to receive, unfortunately for you.
The New York media like to eat their young child alive.
… … screw ’em if they can’t take a joke! Make up an inside only joke. Get a few players in on it … they should fill the media ears with a little B.S. back at them …
…. and no need to be direct during the Finals, stop be so darn honest Mitch … your too honest in your interview. Emulate Pop a little …
start telling the media some B.S. about this “fictional” person or play, or something.
Nobody can call you on it, you made it up, IT TAKES PRESSURE AWAY FROM players.
it occupies the insatiable MEDIA,
think about it… … …
… … better than trying to explain yourself to these goofy bag reporters ….
? two ll’s?? Mitchell?
You should get and use a fax machine.
Secret channel , secret line, ‘ole school’, ….
Good luck in NYC
Doctor Dunkenstein’s Shared Coaching LessonsOn The San Antonio Spurs 2026 NBA Season
Most of the lesson have corresponding verbal podcast.
c/o Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson / R.C. Buford
- Sometimes We Cry
- The Golden Rule of Basketball
- Bobby The Butt Slapper
- The Cricket – Doctor Dunkenstein
- 2026 Texas Road Trip
- The Three Stooges
- FAITH & Basketball (A Wemby Exclusive)
- Zenyatta -Athletic Rarity
- Spike Lee – Do The Right Thing Shelton
- The Golden Rules of Basketball
End
Mitch Johnson on Spurs Playing in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals
THEY WON GAME 7 of the WCF, onto the 2026 NBA FINALS!
Mitch is one very ‘COOL Cookie’ … … in this pressure situation.
The Spurs organization found a ROCK.
Below are three videos of note:
(1) Mitch after game 7 Western Conference
(2) Knicks in regular season 2026, , ‘World Tournament’
(3) Mitch between game 6 and 7 WCF … Sean Seeney, ‘Big Red was stolen and swept away by alligators and dolphins to Orlando.
Date June 1, 2026
Coach Mitch Johnson speaks most often in the first person plural, which is the word “WE”. The first person singular is “I”
An observation made in dozens of 2026 pregame and post game San Antonio Spurs interviews.
MINDSET WELL EXPRESSED
Grammar Lesson Examples Humor intended)
First Person Singular: “I am a great coach. I am the best coach in the entire world . (maybe on Pluto as well). My work is impeccable!
First Person Plural: We are great coaches, We are the best coaches in the entire world . ( We know Doctor Cricket Dunkenstein is the best coach on Pluto). Our work is impeccable!
Coach Mitchell is the BEST Coach in the NBA Western Conference 2026 season! Best … greatest
Funny?
Definitely the most, upps … one of the most, articulate .
Coach Mitch Johnson speaks post game 7 WCF. Never has he appeared more tired at any time this season.
Somebody should get this exhausted coach a chair. He deserves to rest and sit for a minute. Great work coach.
Remember, … Diamonds are formed by severe and extended pressure on a solid hard rock.
Mitch Johnson was pretty darn solid as Head San Antonio Spurs basketball coach in 2026. … …
[… just like complaining about the the refs, and filing a formal NBA office complaint, I may need to file a my complaint with the Global Pluto Basketball League (GPBL). Complaint Issue: Mitch Johnson remark “… … grind time … (when) nobody cares … I cared, coach … I guess Doctor Dunkenstein is a NOBODY. I created and wrote everything on this entire website throughout the entire season. I cared about every game. ( humor intended )
Rumor: Coach Mitchell Chase Johnson was called, a NICKNAME ,by a former, Stanford University basketball player, (not sure his name), “The Diagram” or “The Clip Board”.
Apparetnly he loves to get the players out on the floor for walk through exercise, he moves the players like chess pieces, sometimes with clip board in hand.
What is the actual real nickname
Players report enjoyment in these sessions, easy fun work , word is, its a detailed ‘Chess Game” , figures — Stanford Guy .
Details sought
Gotta tell players NOT to engage Spike … Read ‘Do The Right Thing Shelton”. ( should explain)
Coach Mitch Johnson
Mitch Johnson
Hey, it’s Doc, … …. Doctor Cricket Dunkenstein, here again with breaking news.
The San Antonio Spurs made the ‘Cricket Caretaker’ permanent. Great news.
We , the cricket basketball world, (they, the Spurs) found a the guy who you all should listen to speak about Victor Wembanya’s basketball endeavors and the San Antonio Spurs. He actually knows a few things about the game … … …
He thinks, reads and speaks well … … probably from being around all those nerds on the campus of Standford? I will bet, he even writes well …… .
Mitch looks like ‘A Small Blessing’ for a big young man, Victor Wembanyama , and the entire Spurs team, as well as the organization. After Pop’s unexpected sudden health issues … … … . Naturally, questions and doubts were created by . those outside of the organization. Pop was a rock. Rocks like Pop are hard to find in the Texas basketball desert, actually anywhere, for that matter..
It’s good to be in a GOOD group of people. Mitch may even know how to raise crickets. We sure hope so.
( A good ‘Bass Fisherman‘ knows how to raise and use crickets to fish )
My first question to Mitch, “Do you fish”? Have you ever used crickets while fishing?
Between Victor and Mitch, neither of the two look old enough to purchase beer without an Identification card (ID). However, don’t let looks deceive you, they got good basketball heads behind those baby faces.
Question #2 for Mitch: Did your Dad have the same problem in Seattle that I had for a year, a problem called ‘guarding Tom Chambers’ , Sonics …. 1981-82?
Mitch Johnson was named interim head coach of the San Antonio Spurs on
November 5, 2024
… after head coach Gregg Popovich suffered a stroke. He later transitioned from the interim role to the full-time head coach of the Spurs on:
May 2, 2025 .
Mitch Johnson
Johnson during a pre-game interview in 2026 | |
| San Antonio Spurs | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | November 29, 1986 Seattle, Washington, U.S |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | O’Dea (Seattle, Washington) |
| College | Stanford (2005–2009) |
| NBA draft | 2009: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2009–2011 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Coaching career | 2015–present |
| Career history | |
Playing | |
| 2009 | Tulsa 66ers |
| 2010–2011 | VEF Rīga |
Coaching | |
| 2015–2016 | Portland Pilots (assistant) |
| 2016–2019 | Austin Spurs (assistant) |
| 2019–2024 | San Antonio Spurs (assistant) |
| 2024–2025 | San Antonio Spurs (interim HC) |
| 2025–present | San Antonio Spurs |
| Career highlights | |
As head coach:
As assistant coach:
| |
Mitchell Chase Johnson[1] (born November 29, 1986) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He replaced Gregg Popovich, who stepped down after 29 seasons. He previously served as the interim head coach and assistant coach of the Spurs, and served as an assistant coach for the Austin Spurs from 2016 to 2019. He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal.
Early life
Johnson was born in Seattle, Washington, on November 29, 1986.[2] He is the son of former NBA player John Johnson, who won the 1979 NBA Finals with the Seattle SuperSonics,[3] and Jenny Redman.[4]
High school career
From 2002 to 2005, Johnson played for O’Dea High School under coach Phil Lumpkin, where he was the team captain.[4] During his time at O’Dea, he was a four time All-Metro selection, three-time All-area honor, two-time All-State, an MVP of state tournament and Metro Conference MVP.[4] He averaged 22 points and eight assists in his senior season and led O’Dea to two state championships.[4]
College career
Johnson played at Stanford University for the Cardinal from 2005 to 2009.[4] He graduated with a degree in sociology.[5]
Freshman season (2005–06)
Johnson played 30 games during his freshman season, starting in 20 of them. He made his college debut against UC Irvine on November 19, 2005, in which he played 19 minutes as a bench player, and had his first college start on December 31, 2005, against USC where he scored six points in 23 minutes of action. During his freshman season, he recorded a total of 98 assists and 25 steals, which is the second most on the team. Johnson was an All-Freshman Team Honorable Mention pick.[4]
Sophomore season (2006–07)
During Johnson’s sophomore season, he played 31 games and started 20 games. He recorded 103 assists, the second most on the team, while leading the team in steals with 29. On December 19, 2006, Johnson recorded a season—high 10 assists against Fresno State. On February 15, 2007, Johnson recorded 8 rebounds against Oregon State. Johnson scored 12 points against Oregon on February 17. Johnson scored 11 points, four assists and 4 rebounds on March 1 against Arizona State.[4]
Junior season (2007–08)
Johnson played in all 36 of his team’s games while starting in 35 games. On November 10, 2007, Johnson scored 14 points against Northwestern State. He played Northwestern again on November 15, where he scored 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists. On January 3, 2008, he scored 10 points and five field goals against UCLA in 38 minutes of action. Johnson recorded nine rebounds on January 13 against Oregon. On January 26, Johnson scored a career-high 16 points along with five rebounds and seven assists, winning against California. On February 24, Johnson contributed with 11 points, and recorded 14 points along with six assists on February 28 against Washington. Johnson achieved his first college double-double on March 13, with 11 points and 10 rebounds against Arizona. During the PAC—10 tournament against UCLA on March 15, Johnson recorded seven points, seven rebounds and five assists. During the NCAA tournament against Marquette on March 22, Johnson recorded a career—high 16 assists, breaking Stanford’s record for assists in a game. He recorded eight assists against Texas on March 28.[4]
Senior season (2008–09)
Johnson started all 32 games in which he played. On November 14, 2008, Johnson recorded 11 points and six assists, winning against Yale. On December 20, Johnson tied his previous career—high 16 points on 5 of 5 field goal shooting, and 4 of 4 shooting from 3 against Northwestern. On December 23, Johnson scored 14 points against Santa Clara, and he scored 14 points again on December 30 against Hartford. On January 8, 2009, Johnson contributed 10 points against Washington. On February 28, Johnson contributed with 10 points and four assists against USC. He achieved more than 500 career assists on March 5, winning against Arizona State. On March 12, Johnson moved to second place on Stanford’s assist list after recording five assists against Washington.[4]
Professional career
After leaving Stanford, Johnson went undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft.[6] He joined the Tulsa 66ers on November 1, 2009 and played seven games in the NBA G-League [6] before he was waived a month later.[6] He also played briefly for Latvian club VEF Riga in the 2010-11 season, before deciding to pursue coaching.[7]
Coaching career
Early coaching career
Before coaching for the Austin Spurs, Johnson was a coaching intern for Seattle University in 2011,[8] served as a coach for an AAU team in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League,[9] and became an assistant coach for the Portland Pilots at the University of Portland.[10] Johnson was an assistant coach for the Pilots during the 2015–2016 season.[11][12]
Austin Spurs (2016–2019)
Johnson started his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs in 2016.[13] Johnson won the G League Championship with the Austin Spurs in 2018.[14][15]
San Antonio Spurs (2019–present)
On September 20, 2019, the San Antonio Spurs hired Johnson to be an assistant coach for head coach Gregg Popovich.[13][16] He was promoted by the Spurs to be a full-time assistant coach on November 12, 2020, and he replaced assistant coach Tim Duncan, who stepped down from his position on the Spurs.[8][17][18] On May 15, 2021, Johnson was the interim head coach in a 140–103 loss against the Phoenix Suns as Popovich watched Tim Duncan’s induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.[19] Johnson was the interim head coach again in a 110–99 win against the Indiana Pacers on March 2, 2023, as Popovich was unable to coach due to an illness.[19] With the arrival of French star Victor Wembanyama in 2023, Johnson was given the duty of warming up the center before each game and they developed a close relationship.[20]
On November 2, 2024, Popovich was sidelined indefinitely from coaching due to a health issue,[21][22] which was eventually revealed to be a stroke, and Johnson became the Spurs interim head coach.[23][24][25] He started coaching the Spurs on November 2 in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, having been informed two and half hours before tip off that Popovich wasn’t available to coach because of illness,[26] and the Spurs won 113–103 against the Timberwolves.[27] This was the third time Johnson served as the interim head coach of the Spurs.[19] Johnson served as the interim head coach until the end of the 2024-25 season due to Popovich sitting out from coaching for the rest of the season.[28]
On May 2, 2025, Johnson was promoted to become the head coach of the Spurs, following Popovich’s decision to step down after 29 seasons.[29][30] As Popovich had only coached 5 games during the 2024–25 season, the NBA announced on July 2 that they would credit the 32–45 record of the remaining 77 games to Johnson.[31][32]
Career playing statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
[4]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Stanford | 30 | 20 | 22.5 | .314 | .283 | .774 | 2.0 | 3.3 | .8 | .1 | 3.4 |
| 2006–07 | Stanford | 31 | 20 | 23.5 | .356 | .321 | .821 | 2.8 | 3.3 | .9 | .0 | 4.3 |
| 2007–08 | Stanford | 36 | 35 | 31.5 | .421 | .388 | .644 | 4.3 | 5.2 | .8 | .1 | 6.7 |
| 2008–09 | Stanford | 32 | 32 | 29 | .420 | .368 | .698 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 1.2 | .1 | 6.6 |
| Career | 129 | 107 | 26.8 | .388 | .348 | .708 | 2.9 | 4.1 | .9 | .1 | 5.3 | |
NBA G League
Regular season
[33]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | Tulsa | 7 | 0 | 8.6 | .154 | .000 | .750 | 0.9 | 1.0 | .1 | .0 | 1.4 |
Head coaching record
NBA
| Regular season | G | Games coached | W | Games won | L | Games lost | W–L % | Win–loss % |
| Playoffs | PG | Playoff games | PW | Playoff wins | PL | Playoff losses | PW–L % | Playoff win–loss % |
| Team | Year | G | W | L | W–L% | Finish | PG | PW | PL | PW–L% | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | 2024–25 | 77 | 32 | 45 | .416 | 4th in Southwest | — | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| San Antonio | 2025–26 | 82 | 62 | 20 | .765 | 1st in Southwest | — | — | — | — | TBC |
| Career | 159 | 94 | 65 | .591 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | |||
Personal life
Johnson and his wife, Jessica, have four children, Tasia, Tatum, Johnnie and Jameson.[5
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P.S. I have a personal humorous innocent question to ask the children of Mitch Smith. Something I want to know about their father, very humorous question.
