I reported this as a rumor last month. It’s now official – former Holy Cross DBO Alex Popp has been named as the head coach at Vermont Academy. Here’s the official press release:
Incoming Athletic Director, Chris Davidson, is pleased to announce that Alex Popp has joined Vermont Academy as Assistant Director of Admissions and head coach of the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team.
Pope hails from Division I ball at the College of the Holy Cross where he worked with a team that posted 20 wins last year—HC’s first 20-win season since 2006/07. The team also placed third in the Patriot League with a 12-6 record in conference games and received an invitation to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
Prior to Holy Cross, Popp was associate head coach at Middlebury College for two seasons under Jeff Brown—the 2012 NESCAC Coach of the Year. Popp helped carry the Panthers to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2011/12 with a 26-4 record, followed by a berth in the NCAA Elite 8 in 2012/13, posting a 25-4 record. Popp earned his coaching chops at Springfield College while receiving his Master’s in sports management. He worked under Charles Brock—the 2010 NEWMAC Coach of the Year— helping to coach the Pride to a pair of winning seasons. While at Springfield, Popp was recruiting coordinator and helped propel the program to its most recent back-to-back NCAA appearances following a six-year postseason draught.
No stranger to the court, Popp enjoyed a successful career at the University of Minnesota and Assumption College, leading the Greyhounds to a 24-11 record and a 2008 Division II Sweet 16 appearance. In 2005, his Minnesota Golden Gophers earned a berth in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
“We’re thrilled to have Alex join Vermont Academy,” said Chris Davidson, VA’s incoming Athletic Director. “He’s a proven winner, recruiter, and coach. We’re confident his experience working with athletes and students will bring tremendous value to VA’s athletic program and the Admissions Office.”
Popp has worked with talented players at every level including: Billy Baron (Canisius), Khem Birch (UNLV), Aaron & Andrew Harrison (Kentucky) Ricardo Ledo (Dallas Mavericks), Chas McFarland (Wake Forest), Rod Odom (Vanderbilt), Tyler Olander (UConn), Joseph O’Shea (Bryant), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Laurent Rivard (Harvard), Gabus Maldunas (Dartmouth), and Jerry Smith (Louisville).
“Vermont Academy has an excellent academic and athletic reputation,” said Alex Popp. “I’m thrilled to join the school during this time of great growth and momentum, and I look forward to working with athletes and students on and off the court.”
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