June 28, 2007

Marc Popovich: The new San Clemente High boys basketball coach
The 1998 Triton grad leaves Tesoro to coach his alma mater.
By CHRIS TOBOLSKI
The Orange County Register

The question was straight forward. What should we know about the new boys basketball coach?

"I'm not crazy," Coach Marc Popovich said. "You can quote me on that."

That's good, because a deep-rooted cynic could argue otherwise. Why else would someone be so eager to take over a program that won five games last season and finished in last place in the South Coast League?

To understand it in full, you have to hear Popovich, who is leaving his post as Tesoro's boys JV coach and boys varsity assistant coach, tell it himself. A 1998 San Clemente High graduate, the lure of his alma mater was too intriguing to pass up. And his charismatic approach and youthful exuberance were too much for Athletic Director Jon Hamro to pass up as well.

"After an extensive search, we are thrilled that Marc Popovich has agreed to become our new boys basketball coach," Hamro said in a statement. "Marc understands what it will take to get our boys basketball program to the next level and he is ready for the challenge.

"His integrity and work ethic, together with the fact that he is a highly respected Advance Placement teacher, will serve him well as he raises the bar and takes over leadership of our boys basketball program."

Popovich was born in Downey before moving to San Clemente with his parents when he was 5. He attended Truman Benedict elementary school, then Shorecliffs, before becoming a Triton.

Currently running the boys summer league clinic, Popovich, who is single and has no kids, recently took some time to sit down with The Register's Chris Tobolski to talk about his new position and return to San Clemente High.

First things first. What's it like to be back home, so to speak?

It's a dream come true to comeback and be at my alma mater and see where we can push the program. I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge.

Yes, the challenge. Talk about that?

The challenge of this program is we are near the bottom of the South Coast League. Right now, I look forward to getting better every single game. I will put it like this. I don't think we will only win 5 games. We will work hard and see where that takes us. It's going to be fun. I reveal the challenge.

Then again, building programs isn't unfamiliar ground. Can you explain?

I started coaching at Tesoro from the very beginning. We had to build that program. We made the finals of CIF and we had All-CIF players. We built it up in five years through hard work. We were 5-5 and third in (South Coast) league this year. We lost buzzer-beaters to Capo (Valley) and Mission (Viejo). We could have been 7-3 or even 8-2.

It was Tesoro's first season in the South Coast League, which obviously has to help you as you take over the Tritons?

I'm definitely familiar with the style of play. I know a lot of the personnel. I have a head start in that area. I know what the competition is like and where the bar is set.

Last season, and not just in basketball, a bit of a rivalry started to develop between San Clemente and Tesoro. Are you ready for that switch in facing your old team?

I'm going to hate coaching against (Tesoro coach) Steve (Garrett). It's going to be weird against him because we are best friends. But like we said, we have 24 games to help each other out and two we'll hate.

But it can't be worse than Brian (Mulligan) (Capo Valley) and Shawn (Mulligan) (former San Clemente High coach). That can't be much fun.

Speaking of fun, when you aren't teaching or coaching, what are you doing?

I like going to baseball games, Angels and Dodgers. I like going to concerts and movies. Just doing different things with my friends. I still play basketball with the guys every once in awhile. I still play some tennis.

How did you get your roots in basketball?

As a kid I pretty much played everything. My dad (Steve) was the head (basketball) coach at Marina. I was always tagging along. I went to all the practices and games. I grew up with the game. There was hardly a time I didn't have a basketball with me as a kid.

I played one season of varsity at San Clemente under Brad Davis. Then I went to Kansas State University and was the manager for the men's basketball program. I didn't want to live in Kansas, so I finished my degree at Cal State Fullerton. Then I started coaching at Saddleback College (before going to Tesoro).

You are teaching world history at San Clemente. Your thoughts on that?

I'm not too nervous about teaching. I really like it. I have a fun time in my classroom. I look forward to that and working with people who taught me.

And finally, what is your approach to coaching like?

The No. 1 goal here is to use the game of basketball for teaching tools for life and develop character. We are ready to deal with the challenge. To rise and overcome adversity the best they can. We will be a tough, hard-nosed team. We will play the right way. We want to coach kids to a great high school basketball experience while learning about life.