Fairleigh Dickinson men’s basketball head coach Greg Herenda announced Monday the addition of Joe Popovich Jr. to his staff for the 2021-22 season.
“Pop [Popovich] is an awesome addition to our staff in so many ways,” said Herenda. “For a young man he has incredible experience being at Creighton and SMU – and that experience will help us here at FDU. His video and analytic skills will prove to be extremely beneficial to our players and staff. He puts an exclamation mark on our staff for the upcoming season.”
In his role as video coordinator at FDU, Popovich will be responsible for all elements of game and practice film and will also help with team-related statistical and analytical needs. Popovich will also coordinate the Knights’ summer camps and community service outreach.
Popovich arrives on the Hackensack after a one-year stint in Hackettstown, N.J. as an assistant men’s basketball coach with NCAA Division III Centenary University. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cyclones did not have a season in 2020-21.
Before coming home to the Garden State, Popovich earned a Master’s in Sport Management in 2020 at Southern Methodist University (SMU) where he served as a graduate assistant with the Mustangs’ men’s basketball team. At SMU, Popovich was responsible for all aspects of video, including the exchange of film. Additionally, he assisted the program’s director of basketball operations with team travel logistics and other operational needs while also supervising the Mustangs’ undergraduate managers. While at SMU, Popovich helped to coordinate on-campus recruiting and official and unofficial recruit visits.
“I have known Coach Herenda for a few years and we have had a great relationship,” said Popovich. “When he presented me the opportunity to join his staff I was absolutely ecstatic. I have so much respect for the FDU program with their winning tradition and championship expectations. I cannot wait to join the FDU family to be a part of their championship culture and help this program get back to the NCAA tournament.”
Prior to his time at SMU, Popvich matriculated at Creighton University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. From 2014-2018, Popvovich served as a student manager for the Bluejays, assisting with daily practices, maintaining team equipment, weekly recruiting mailings and Creighton basketball camps.
The Chatham, N.J. native attended Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J. where he graduated in 2014. Saint Peter’s Prep is the same high school Herenda attended.
He currently resides in Morristown, N.J.
FDU Men’s Basketball Welcomes Joe Popovich Jr. to 2021-22 Staff
