This season (2024-2025) Richard Popp is the assistant coach for Roots Volleyball’s third 15s team – 15-3 Maple.

Richard was born in Hackensack, New Jersey and attended Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. He played varsity basketball for the Bulldogs and earned 6th Man of the Year honors. He graduated in 2019.

Richard continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. He played intramural volleyball for the Longhorns leading his team to the semi-finals in the B League. The Intramural Sports program fosters leadership, sportsmanship, and education. Richard also served as a Teaching Assistant for Beginners and Intermediate Volleyball/Basketball (2 years). He assisted in instruction of basic volleyball skills, including rules, strategies, and helped students learn, develop, and improve basic motor skills and apply systems and skills of volleyball while playing.

Richard believes that developing a relationship of mutual trust and respect between players and coaches creates a driven atmosphere on a team. Richard knows that having fun and working hard go hand in hand. Having experiences together as a team that bond you, will strengthen teamwork and create a positive experience no matter the situation.

Richard currently resides in Hyde Park and works in Operations at Moody Center. Richard is in the gym playing volleyball 3-4 night a week and is excited to add more nights of volleyball to his schedule through coaching. This is Richard’s 1st season coaching with the Roots Volleyball family.