Jim Popp

(upload a new image)

Full Name: Jim Popp Primary Position: VP, General Manager College: Michigan State Birthdate: December 21, 1964 High School: High School (City, State) Birthplace: Elkin, NC Pro Coaching Experience: 15 years

Rate this Player 3.00 (16 votes)

[edit] Biography

One of the youngest general managers and brightest minds in professional sports, Jim Popp is known for abilities to both build expansion teams and rebuild established franchises into winning organizations. Popp signed a five-year contract with the organization in October 2003.

Still a young GM, his accomplishments are nonetheless already impressive - he has the best overall record of any CFL general manager over the last 10 years. He led the Alouettes to five consecutive seasons of 12 or more victories (1996-2000), one of only three teams in CFL history to accomplish such a feat. Of the just three CFL coaches ever to win back-to-back Coach of the Year honours, two did so working with Popp (Don Matthews 1994-1995; Charlie Taaffe 1999-2000).

In 14 years in the CFL (two years with Saskatchewan, two with Baltimore, and 10 with Montreal), Popp's teams have never had a losing record. His teams have appeared in the playoffs every year, have been in nine Division Finals, five Grey Cup games and have won two championships. Under Popp, the team has won at least 12 games and reached the East Division Final in every season except 2001. The team reached the Grey Cup game in 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2005 winning in 2002.

Before joining the Alouettes, Popp was Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel with the Baltimore Stallions in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, the Stallions established an all-time CFL record for wins in a season with an 18-3 record (including playoffs and the Grey Cup). The Stallions won their last 13 games and are the only American team to have won the Grey Cup. The 1995 Stallions team had a total of 14 players go on to sign NFL contracts and surprised no one by winning the Grey Cup. The 1994 Baltimore Stallions have the distinction of being the "most successful expansion franchise in the history of professional team sports." The first-year squad went 14-7, won the Southern Division championship, and appeared in the Grey Cup.

Popp was the Saskatchewan Roughriders' Director of Player Personnel and Wide Receivers Coach in 1992-93. The Roughriders had two successful seasons, while Popp was in Saskatchewan, appearing in the playoffs both years.

Before coming to the CFL, Popp helped in 1992 to form the Professional Spring Football League where he held the title of league Director of Player Personnel. He served as the wide receivers and special teams coach for the Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks of the World Football League (now known as NFL Europe) in 1991.

Popp coached at the collegiate level for five seasons: The Citadel (1988-1990), University of North Carolina (1987), Michigan State University (1986). He played college football for three seasons at Michigan State (1983-85) as a wide receiver and defensive back.

Born December 21, 1964 in Elkin, NC, Jim feels the best acquisition he ever made was his wife, Kimberly Hamilton Popp, from Glen Burnie, MD. They have four children - twin girls Hannah Nicole and Hayley Payton were born in June of 1998, and two boys, Preston Joseph, born in December 1999 and Hudson Blake, born in December 2001. The Popps make their homes in Montreal and in Mooresville, NC.

[edit] Scouting Report

[edit] Statistics

[edit] Coaching Stats

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Video Gallery

Add Videos

[edit] Picture Gallery

Add Pictures

[edit] See Also

[edit] Categories