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Gregg Popovich shocks NBA world with marriage to former assistant Mike Budenholzer's ex-wife

by · Fox News

Love is in the air for Pop.

Former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, 77, is officially a married man again, tying the knot with Mary Barth Budenholzer, according to marriage records filed in Bexar County, Texas, on Sept. 16, 2026.

Mary was previously married to former Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer for two decades, raising four kids together while he served as Popovich's top assistant during the Spurs dynasty.

Bud spent 17 seasons on Pop’s staff in San Antonio (1996-2013), working his way up from video coordinator to lead assistant before departing. Along the way, he helped Popovich secure four NBA titles.

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Houston Rockets during the first half of a preseason game at Toyota Center in Houston on Oct. 17, 2024. (Getty Images)

Mike and Mary quietly divorced in 2016, and Popovich suffered his own tragedy two years later when his wife of 42 years, Erin, passed away following a long illness.

Mike Budenholzer and Gregg Popovich warm up during practice as part of the 2013 NBA Finals on June 8, 2013, at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (NBAE via Getty Images)

Popovich's unexpected wedding also comes a little over a year after he officially stepped away from the NBA sidelines.

In November 2024, Popovich suffered a mild stroke at the arena right before a home game. Further medical complications ultimately forced him to step off the bench, handing the reins to Mitch Johnson as he shifted into a front-office advisory role as the Spurs' president of basketball operations.

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Head coach Gregg Popovich speaks to assistant coach Mike Budenholzer during practice as part of the 2013 NBA Finals on June 19, 2013, at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (NBAE via Getty Images)

Popovich walked away as the NBA's all-time winningest coach with 1,391 regular-season victories, five championship rings, three Coach of the Year awards and an Olympic gold medal.

In the final stretch of his coaching run, Pop became almost as famous for his preachy political lectures at the press podium.

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Popovich already has a vault stacked with NBA championship hardware from his legendary run in San Antonio.

This newest ring might just be the sweetest one of all.

Apr 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reacts in the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. (Benny Sieu-Imagn Images)

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Alejandro Avila is a longtime writer at OutKick, living in Southern California.