NBA fans have a lot to say after San Antonio Spurs announce Billy Donovan as lead assistant coach

3 Jul 2026 • 4:53 PM MYT
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Image from: NBA fans have a lot to say after San Antonio Spurs announce Billy Donovan as lead assistant coach
Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs have started preparing for the new NBA season.

Following a heartbreaking 4-1 series defeat in the NBA Finals at the hands of the New York Knicks, the San Antonio Spurs seem keen on bouncing back next season.

While the Spurs haven’t made any major roster changes outside of adding Tobias Harris, the franchise has made a massive announcement in the coaching department.

Image from: NBA fans have a lot to say after San Antonio Spurs announce Billy Donovan as lead assistant coach
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

San Antonio Spurs signing Billy Donovan is being perceived as a warning to Mitch Johnson

In his first full season as the head coach of the Spurs, Mitch Johnson led the team to a 62-20 record in the regular season and an NBA Finals run in the postseason.

Despite that, when it was announced that the Spurs have welcomed Billy Donovan as the team’s lead assistant coach, NBA fans viewed it as a warning for Johnson.

“Mitch, tighten up, or you’re getting replaced,” a fan warned. While another added, “Mitch got one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel.”

“He took this job knowing Mitch Johnson is going to get fired at some point,” a third fan believes.

“We see what’s happening,” a fourth fan noted. “He could be a guy promoted to head coach before playoff time,” a fifth fan predicted.

Over the last six seasons, Donovan was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, but he has taken a step down as an assistant coach, albeit for the runners-up of the 2026 NBA Championship.

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