Updated: September 24, 2026
Gregg Popovich built one of the greatest coaching careers in NBA history with the San Antonio Spurs. Five championships, the all-time wins record, and a reputation for sharp intellect and fierce loyalty. Yet behind the sideline intensity stood a private partnership that lasted more than four decades. Searches for “Gregg Popovich ex wife” almost always lead to Erin Popovich, the woman who grounded him until her death in 2018. Recent headlines, however, have shifted the conversation: the 77-year-old legend has remarried.
Table of Contents
Who Was Erin Popovich?
Erin Popovich (née Conboy) was born January 5, 1951. She met Gregg while he served as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy, where her father, Jim Conboy, worked for decades as the athletic trainer. They married on October 10, 1976, in El Paso, Texas.
Erin deliberately stayed out of the spotlight. She rarely attended games and never courted media attention. Those who knew the couple described her as the steady center who balanced Popovich’s intensity. She provided quiet support, humor, and perspective through the grind of NBA seasons and the pressure of championship runs. The Spurs organization later called her “a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”
Marriage, Family, and Private Life
The Popoviches raised two children: daughter Jill and son Micky. They later welcomed two grandchildren, whom Gregg has affectionately called “the stars of the show.” In his 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame speech, he spoke emotionally about Erin as the family’s “center of gravity” and “rock” who made everything worthwhile.
Key points about their life together:
- Married 42 years until her death
- Met through the Air Force Academy community
- Kept a firm boundary between public coaching life and private family life
- Erin’s influence helped humanize the often-intense coach
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Erin Popovich (née Conboy) |
| Birth date | January 5, 1951 |
| Marriage date | October 10, 1976 |
| Children | Jill and Micky Popovich |
| Grandchildren | Two |
| Passing | April 18, 2018 (age 67) |
| Cause | Prolonged illness (respiratory condition reported) |
Erin’s Passing and Its Aftermath
Erin died on April 18, 2018, after a lengthy illness. Reports indicated she had dealt with a respiratory condition for years. The news broke during the Spurs’ playoff series against the Golden State Warriors. Popovich stepped away to grieve, and the basketball world offered widespread condolences. Players and coaches, including Steve Kerr, spoke of her warmth and the balance she brought to Popovich’s life.
The loss left a clear void. In later years Popovich continued coaching while leaning on his children and grandchildren. He stepped down as Spurs head coach in 2025 after health challenges and moved into a front-office role as president of basketball operations.
Gregg Popovich’s New Chapter with Mary Barth Budenholzer
In a development reported on September 23, 2026, Popovich married Mary Barth Budenholzer on September 16 in Bexar County, Texas. Mary is the former wife of Mike Budenholzer, Popovich’s longtime Spurs assistant coach from 1996 to 2013. The two men worked together on four championship teams. Mike and Mary divorced around 2016; she has four children from that marriage.
The couple had been seen together at Spurs games in the previous season. While the news surprised many given the professional history, both parties appear to have moved forward privately. Mike Budenholzer has also entered a new relationship. Popovich, now 77, continues in his executive role with the franchise he defined.
Conclusion
Erin Popovich was never an “ex-wife” in the conventional sense. She was Gregg’s partner of 42 years, the private foundation of a public career, and a presence still remembered with deep respect inside the Spurs organization and beyond. Her story remains the heart of searches about Popovich’s personal life. At the same time, life continues. His 2026 marriage to Mary Barth Budenholzer marks a new chapter after years of loss and transition.
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