Gregg Charles Popovich (born January 28, 1949) is an American basketball coach who is currently the head coach of the National Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs. Taking over as coach of the Spurs in 1996, Popovich is the longest tenured active coach in both the NBA and all Big Four sports leagues. He is often referred to as "Coach Pop" or simply "Pop". He has won five NBA championships as the head coach of the Spurs. He also has the most consecutive winning seasons (playoffs included) of any NBA coach, at 17. Popovich is one of only five coaches in NBA history to win five or more NBA championships. Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, Pat Riley, and John Kundla are the other coaches.