Chris Popp begins his fifth season as assistant men’s basketball coach.
At UAFS, Popp is recruiting and academic coordinator, coordinates scheduling and coaches post players.
Before joining the Lions staff, Popp was an assistant coach for six seasons at NCAA Division II Newman University in Wichita, Kan.
While at Newman, which competes in the Heartland Conference along with UA Fort Smith, Popp’s responsibilities included recruiting, scouting report preparation, academic supervision, off-season physical and skill development and on-court coaching, specifically with post players.
A graduate of Wichita Northwest High School, Popp was a member of the 1994 6A State Runner-up Northwest Grizzlies. He went on to play collegiate basketball at nearby Tabor College. While at Tabor, Popp helped lead the Bluejays to national rankings as high as No. 15, a KCAC Conference Championship and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Mo.
Following his playing career, Popp spent three years as an assistant coach at Derby High School. During those three years, the Panthers never finished lower than third in the Ark Valley League – a league that produced three state champions in those three years.
In 2004, Popp returned to Tabor College to serve as an assistant coach. There, he helped guide the Bluejays to another KCAC Championship and a trip back to the NAIA National Tournament. Tabor finished the 2004-2005 season ranked 22nd in the nation. The Bluejays’ run ended with a six-point loss to eventual champion Walsh University at the National Tournament.
Popp is married to Dianne, a former Olympic basketball player for New Zealand and standout at Wichita State University. They have two children -- a son, Vaughan, and a daughter, Autumn.
