 On 15 July 2014, Messina was hired by the San Antonio Spurs, as an assistant coach.On 16 October 2014, Messina would coach the Spurs in a 121–90 preseason win against the Phoenix Suns, due to Gregg Popovich being unable to travel with the team at the time.Messina would later take on the role of the World Team's head coach in the 2016 NBA Rising Stars Challenge.