Spurs HC Mitch Johnson Reflects on Seattle Sports Roots

From Seahawks Super Bowl memories to Sonics return rumors, the San Antonio coach carries the Pacific Northwest with him.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson grew up as a Seattle sports fan, with lasting memories of the Seahawks' championship runs in 2013-14 and 2014-15. As the Seahawks prepare for another Super Bowl appearance, Johnson reflects on his Seattle roots, including his father John Johnson being on the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics team. While the Sonics left Seattle in 2008, the city's appetite for the team's return remains strong, with recent meetings between the state governor and NBA commissioner sparking renewed hope among fans.

Why it matters

Johnson's Seattle background provides a unique perspective as he leads the Spurs, a team known for its steady, championship-winning culture. His experiences growing up in a city waiting for its big sports moment, and understanding the importance of that moment to a community, can help shape his approach to building the next chapter in San Antonio.

The details

Mitch Johnson, the current head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, has deep ties to Seattle sports. As a young fan, he vividly remembers the Seahawks' championship runs in the early 2010s, calling them 'one of the few championships that city has been able to celebrate in professional sports.' Johnson's connection to Seattle extends beyond the Seahawks, as his father John Johnson was a member of the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics team, the city's only NBA championship-winning squad. While the Sonics left Seattle in 2008, the city's desire for the team's return has never waned, with recent meetings between Washington's governor and the NBA commissioner sparking renewed hope among fans.

  • The Seahawks are scheduled to play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 on February 8, 2026.
  • Mitch Johnson's father John Johnson was on the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics team.

The players

Mitch Johnson

The current head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, who grew up as a Seattle sports fan.

John Johnson

Mitch Johnson's father, who was a member of the 1979 Seattle SuperSonics team, the city's only NBA championship-winning squad.

Bob Ferguson

The governor of Washington, who recently met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver to discuss the potential return of the Seattle SuperSonics.

Adam Silver

The NBA commissioner, who met with Washington governor Bob Ferguson to discuss the potential return of the Seattle SuperSonics.

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What they’re saying

“Who, you would you think for Sunday. That being one of the few championships that city has been able to celebrate in professional sports.”

— Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

“Then, obviously my dad was on the team in '79. I wasn't born yet, but that for a long time was only Championship.”

— Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

No specific next steps were mentioned, as the article focused on Mitch Johnson's personal connection to Seattle sports and the ongoing discussions around the potential return of the Seattle SuperSonics.

The takeaway

Mitch Johnson's Seattle roots provide him with a unique perspective as he leads the San Antonio Spurs, a team known for its steady, championship-winning culture. His experiences growing up in a city waiting for its big sports moment, and understanding the importance of that moment to a community, can help shape his approach to building the next chapter in San Antonio.