SAN DIEGO – Head coach JR Blount has added Jeremy Pope as an assistant coach for the San Diego men's basketball program, he announced on Monday.
Pope joins the Toreros after spending the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at UT Arlington in the Western Athletic Conference under head coach KT Turner, where he aided in the development of three all-conference honorees. He brings a diverse coaching background that includes experience at the Division I level, elite prep programs both in the United States and internationally, the AAU circuit and as a head coach in The Basketball Tournament (TBT).
"We are excited to welcome Jeremy Pope to our staff," Blount said. "A relentless worker and strong connector with young men, Jeremy brings energy, authenticity and a relationship-driven approach to our program. His Southern California roots will allow us to recruit the region effectively and make an immediate impact. With experience in the WCC and a coaching journey I've followed and respected for some time, Jeremy will contribute in all areas — from player development and recruiting to serving as a high-character role model for our student-athletes."
During his time at UT Arlington, Pope helped develop three all-conference honorees while contributing across player development, scouting and recruiting efforts.
"What a time to be a Torero," Pope said. "I'm beyond excited, grateful and humbled to partner with JR Blount as he leads this program into a new era. JR has been a trusted friend and mentor throughout my journey. He's a proven winner, and we've all seen the impact he's had at Iowa State over the past five years. JR operates with an elite level of passion, care and understanding that will help propel this program forward.
"Growing up not too far from USD and having previously competed in the conference, I have a strong understanding of the potential of this program. You can feel the commitment to its rise. Production is what we're after, and I can't wait to positively impact the young men we're fortunate to coach."
He also arrives on America's Most Beautiful Campus with West Coast Conference experience already in hand, as prior to joining the Mavericks, he spent two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Portland. In 2021-22, he helped the Pilots to 19 wins, matching the program's fourth-most victories since joining Division I in 1958, and contributed to the program's first postseason win at the NCAA level. In 2022-23, Pope was on staff for wins over Villanova and a narrow loss to then-No. 1 North Carolina.
Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Pope was named to Silver Wave Media's 75 Rising Stars: Impactful Men's Mid-Major Assistants list and was selected to participate in the Collegiate Coaching Consortium, hosted by the NABC and AthleticDirectorU.
Prior to Portland, Pope served as an assistant coach at Arizona Compass Prep during the 2020-21 season, helping guide one of the nation's top prep programs to a Grind Session Championship and a 30-2 record. The team qualified for the 2021 GEICO High School Nationals and saw six players advance to Division I programs.
Before his time in Arizona, Pope spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Orangeville Prep in Ontario, Canada from 2018-20, where the program went undefeated in all competitions and won the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association Championship. Seven seniors advanced to the Division I level during his tenure. He also served as an assistant with the NIKE Bounce Basketball Club U-17 and U-16 EYBL teams during his time in Canada.
In the summer of 2021, Pope served as head coach of Boeheim's Army in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), guiding the Syracuse-backed squad to the championship title and a $1 million prize.
Pope began his Division I career as a graduate manager at Washington under head coach Mike Hopkins in 2017. The Huskies finished the 2017-18 season with 21 wins, qualified for the NIT and produced two NBA players.
A Los Angeles native, Pope returns to his Southern California roots. He began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, Mayfair High School, and also coached AAU with the Los Angeles Rockfish.
His playing career included stops at Cerritos College, San Jose State and Biola University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cal State LA in 2017 and a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership and Coaching from Washington in 2018.
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