A New Chapter for the Spurs Legend
Gregg Popovich, the 77-year-old San Antonio Spurs president of basketball operations and legendary NBA head coach, has married Mary Barth Budenholzer, according to reports confirmed by a marriage license filed in Bexar County, Texas. The couple exchanged wedding rings on September 16, 2026, marking a significant personal milestone for the Hall-of-Famer.
Connection to the Spurs Organization
The marriage has drawn considerable public attention due to the professional history between the newlyweds and the groom’s former colleague, Mike Budenholzer. Mary Barth Budenholzer was previously married to the current Phoenix Suns head coach, who served as a vital assistant under Popovich in San Antonio from 1996 to 2013. During their 17-year collaboration, the pair helped secure four NBA championships for the Spurs organization. According to The New York Post, Mike and Mary Budenholzer divorced in 2016 and share four children.
Transitioning Roles
Popovich, who holds the NBA record for most career coaching wins with 1,390, officially retired from his head coaching position in May 2025. His retirement followed a 29-year tenure leading the Spurs, during which he won five championships. As Yahoo Sports reports, Popovich transitioned into his current role as president of basketball operations following health complications, including a mild stroke suffered in November 2024. He was widowed in 2018 after the death of his first wife, Erin, with whom he was married for 41 years.
Current Context
While the professional lives of Popovich and Budenholzer have frequently intersected, both have moved forward in their personal paths. Mike Budenholzer, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, has also moved on, publicly acknowledging his partner, Lisa, during his introductory press conference with the Phoenix Suns in May 2024. The Spurs organization, now led by head coach Mitch Johnson, continues to operate under the front-office leadership of Popovich, who remains a central figure in San Antonio’s basketball operations.