At 30-14 and sitting comfortably in second place in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the NBA’s biggest surprises this season. And at the center of it all is Mitch Johnson - a first-year head coach who’s not just managing expectations, he’s redefining them.
Johnson has taken a young, talented Spurs roster and turned it into a legitimate contender in the toughest conference in basketball. Yet, despite the remarkable turnaround, oddsmakers at FanDuel currently have him trailing Detroit’s JB Bickerstaff in the Coach of the Year race. That’s a head-scratcher, especially when you consider just how far San Antonio has come under Johnson’s leadership.
Let’s break it down.
Mitch Johnson’s Case for Coach of the Year
What Johnson has done in San Antonio isn’t just impressive - it’s transformational. The Spurs were outside the playoff picture last season.
This year, they’ve surged into the West’s upper tier, leapfrogging a number of proven contenders along the way. That kind of jump doesn’t happen without elite coaching.
And it’s not just about the record. Johnson has guided this team through adversity that would’ve derailed most first-year head coaches.
San Antonio’s best stretch of the season came without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle in the lineup. That’s not a fluke - that’s coaching.
Johnson kept the system humming, the defense locked in, and the offense flowing despite missing two key contributors.
And let’s not forget how the Spurs opened the season: 5-0, the best start in franchise history - all without De’Aaron Fox. That early momentum set the tone, and Johnson’s steady hand has kept the ship on course ever since.
The Western Conference Gauntlet
Context matters, and the Western Conference is no joke. It’s deep, it’s physical, and it’s filled with elite teams from top to bottom. For the Spurs to rise to the second seed in that environment - especially with a relatively young core - speaks volumes about the culture Johnson is building.
Compare that to the Eastern Conference, where Bickerstaff’s Pistons have certainly made a leap, but in a conference that’s been riddled with injuries and inconsistencies. Detroit was already a top-six seed last season; this year’s improvement, while notable, hasn’t matched the magnitude of what’s happening in San Antonio.
Filling Big Shoes - and Making His Own Mark
There’s also the intangible element. Johnson stepped into one of the most pressure-filled coaching roles in recent memory, taking over for the legendary Gregg Popovich.
That’s not just a job - that’s a legacy. And rather than being overwhelmed by the moment, Johnson has embraced it.
He’s taken what he learned under Pop and applied it with his own voice, his own system, and his own vision. The result? A team that plays with purpose, poise, and an identity that’s as much Johnson’s as it is the franchise’s.
Yes, the Spurs have talent. But talent alone doesn’t get you to second place in the West.
Johnson has implemented a game plan that maximizes his roster’s strengths on both ends of the floor. He’s made adjustments when needed, kept his team mentally locked in, and shown a level of poise that belies his experience.
The Verdict
Coach of the Year isn’t just about wins - it’s about impact. It’s about who’s doing the most with what they’ve got, who’s elevating their team beyond what anyone thought was possible. And right now, that’s Mitch Johnson.
He’s taken a team that missed the playoffs last year and turned them into one of the most consistent, resilient squads in the league - all while navigating injuries, high expectations, and the shadow of one of the greatest coaches in NBA history.
If you’re looking for the coach who’s made the biggest difference this season, look no further. Mitch Johnson isn’t just in the conversation - he should be leading it.