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Coach Popovich's wife Erin remembered as 'strong, wonderful, kind'

"We mourn the loss of Erin," Spurs GM R.C. Buford said. "She ... provided love, support and humor to all of us."

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs were in mourning Wednesday night following the death of Erin Popovich, the wife of longtime coach Gregg Popovich, earlier in the day.

"With deep regret the San Antonio Spurs announce that Erin Popovich, wife of Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, passed away earlier today," the statement read. "Erin and Gregg were married for four decades and were blessed with two children and two grandchildren."

Erin, 67, was the daughter of Jim Conboy, who was the athletic director at the U.S. Air Force Academy for 43 years. He died in 1998. Gregg Popovich graduated from the Academy and played basketball for the Falcons.

NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Erin Popovich had been dealing with an illness for an “extended period.” The circumstances surrounding her death were not immediately known.

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford offered his support in the statement as well.

"We mourn the loss of Erin,” Buford said. “She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”

Gregg Popovich, 69, was at Spurs practice Wednesday and spoke to reporters about his team’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Thursday at the AT&T Center.

There was no obvious sign that anything was out of the ordinary for Popovich, who always has guarded his family’s privacy.

Erin Popovich’s death leaves in question the availability of Gregg Popovich to coach the Spurs for the remainder of the series against the Warriors. Assistant coach Ettore Messina likely would take over the coaching duties if Popovich is unavailable.

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series also will be played in San Antonio on Sunday before the series shifts back to Oakland for a potential Game 5. Golden State leads the series 2-0.

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