The post-Gregg Popovich Spurs’ coaching staff is starting to take shape, as the team made recent hires official. The franchise announced the addition of Sean Sweeney as associate head coach and of former Austin Spurs coach Scott King, who will join Corliss Williamson as an assistant. The arrival of other new faces and several promotions were also announced on Monday.
Sweeney spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Mavericks and was also on Jason Kidd’s staff in Brooklyn and Milwaukee.
He has a reputation as a great defensive coordinator and has interviewed for head coaching vacancies in recent years. The young coach was the architect behind elite defenses after earning Kidd’s full confidence in his Bucks days, as recounted by Milwaukee Mag:
“I’ve given Sweeney the reins on the defense and we talk every day,” said Kidd, in an interview with NBA TV. “He didn’t just help us become one of the best defenses in the league overnight. He puts in the time.”
Sweeney’s credentials and resume are impressive, as he’s also worked with young players in the past, helping them reach their potential. It’s a big addition that should make Johnson’s job much easier.
Corliss Williamson and Scott King will be working under Johnson and the newly announced associate head coach. Williamson arrives in San Antonio after spending the past two seasons with the Timberwolves, another successful Western Conference team. Big Nasty had a long NBA career and won a championship before climbing up the coaching ranks. He brings experience at every level.
King was the Austin Spurs head coach and the G League’s 2025 Coach of the Year. Former Austin coaches who successfully made the transition to the NBA include Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder and Mitch Johnson himself, along with Utah Jazz head coach and former Spurs’ assistant Will Hardy and former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, who were both assistants in the G League affiliate.
There were also additions made to the assistant coach/player development squad. Jimmy Baron, who was the team’s shooting development coach in the past two seasons, and Josh Brannon, who has spent seven years with the franchise in different roles, were promoted. Tim Martin was hired with the same title. Martin was a skill coach and trainer who worked with Victor Wembanyama when he was still in France, playing for Mets 92. His former client list is both long and impressive.
A familiar name joining the player development department is former NBA All-Star Rashard Lewis. Lewis was an assistant coach with the Pistons for a year and spent the past Summer League with the Spurs’ coaching staff.
The franchise also hired Andrew Weatherman as a coaching analyst and promoted Madison Clower to the role of player development analyst.
Missing from the announcements were Brett Brown and Matt Nielsen, two assistant coaches from Popovich’s staff. There has been no confirmation that either will retain their positions, but Nielsen is reportedly staying on, according the KENS5’s Nate Ryan. It would be surprising if Brown is still on the staff after this wave of hirings.
It looks like Mitch Johnson was allowed to put together his own crew, and, at least on paper, it looks impressive.