Coach Kopp Announces His Retirement
Allentown Central Catholic High School’s Girls Basketball Coach, Mike Kopp, announces he will retire at the close of the 2022 post-season after 46 years. Kopp coached for 42 years at ACCHS (1980-2022) and four years at Notre Dame Green Pond (1977-1980).
Under Kopp’s leadership, the ACCHS Girls Basketball team has won five of its seven PIAA titles, 21 of its 22 district titles and 18 of its 23 conference championships. The Vikettes are the only ones to win four straight PIAA titles, from 2001-04, and they also won 28 straight district games and 11 straight titles from 2000-2010. In January 2020, Kopp earned his 1,000th career win as his team defeated Pocono Mountain West 33-30 in an EPC battle. The long time ACCHS hoops leader became just the third scholastic coach ever in Pennsylvania to reach 1,000 career victories. Kopp also served as the ACCHS Athletic Director from 2002-2015.
In 2004-05, Kopp broke the District 11 record with his 675th victory. In 2007-08, he passed Pittsburgh North Catholic coach Don Barth with his 789th girls basketball victory and broke the all-time state record the following season with his 802nd win. The Vikettes have reached nine PIAA title games under Kopp.
“I can’t begin to express my love and thanks to all the people that made it an incredible, fulfilling experience,” said Kopp. “I was fortunate during my career to meet many outstanding and wonderful people. My thanks to all the players, parents, assistant coaches, school administrators, athletic staff, and trainers that have made it truly a team effort, leading to the success achieved by the program.:
Mike Kopp has amassed impressive honors during his coaching career. Including (but not limited to) Induction into Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001; the 2003 & 2004 Associated Press Pennsylvania 3A Girls Basketball Coach of the Year, Pennsylvania’s All-Time Winningest Basketball Coach in 2010 with his 802nd victory; and the 2014 National High School Coaches Association Girls Basketball Coach of the Year.
“We would like to thank Coach Kopp for his commitment to ACCHS and our student-athletes. Coach Kopp has set a standard for excellence that we should all aspire for. It is impossible to put into words the many contributions that Coach Kopp has made to our community as teacher, administrator, coach and mentor. His legacy will be forever etched in the hearts of the ACCHS community,” said Dennis Csensits, Athletic Director.