George Popa - Coaching

Year Inducted: 2016

George Popa knew as a sophomore in high school he wanted a career as a coach and teacher.

Popa fulfilled that goal and certainly enjoyed an outstanding career in the classroom and on the playing field.

The career started in the Port Huron Area School District when he was hired as a teacher and coach at Port Huron Central High School in 1972.

Popa's coaching career consisted of stints at Port Huron Central High School, Port Huron High School and St. Clair County Community College. Some of his accomplishments include: 340 wins, three league titles, six MHSAA district titles, a regional finalist on five occasions in 29 years of coaching girls basketball; 251 wins as a softball coach over a 20-year span, and a 101-32 record as a junior varsity baseball coach.

Following his prep coaching career, Popa spent four years as an assistant women's basketball coach at SC4 and three years with the softball program, two as an assistant and one season as the head coach.

Popa was named the Times Herald girls basketball Coach of the Year twice and softball Coach of the Year once. He has been named the Macomb Area Conference Coach of the Year in both girls basketball and softball several times. He was also presented Port Huron Men’s Club “Person of the Year” award for working with young people to get college Scholarships.

His highest honor was being inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

Popa also has given back to his community by donating his time to coordinate the PHASD sixth grade  basketball program for 15 years and the PHHS summer basketball camp for 20 years.