Former Concord coach Andy Poplin to coach Hickory basketball

Andy Poplin is the new head boys basketball coach at Hickory High, he told the Observer Monday night.

Poplin, who led Concord to a state title, received unanimous approval from the Board of Education of Hickory's public schools Monday night.


Poplin, 42, replaces Lavell Hall, who coached Hickory for one season. Poplin coached at Mount Pleasant High from 1994-2003 and then coached four season at Concord. He currently teaches elementary school PE in Cabarrus County. He is a Lenoir-Rhyne graduate and is pursuing a master's degree at Charlotte.

"I am thrilled to get the opportunity to return to Hickory after graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne in 1993," said Poplin, a past Charlotte Observer "All-Observer" coach of the year. "Hickory High was always a dream destination for me."

Poplin's teams have won multiple conference and regional championships. His 2006 team at Concord lost 79-75 to Greensboro Dudley in the N.C. 3A state championship game. In 2007, Concord beat Kinston 85-79 for the title. It is Concord's only boys state title.

At Hickory, Poplin takes over a powerhouse program that has nine straight winning seasons. Hickory has won at least 22 games for six straight years.

Hickory princpal Dr. Ann Stalnaker thinks she has the right person to continue the tradition in Poplin, who also coaches Chris Paul's AAU travel team, Team CP3. Poplin coached Chris Paul for five years.

“My goal throughout the process was to find just the right fit for our players,” HHS principal Dr. Ann Stalnaker said the news release. “Coach Poplin has the energy and passion for basketball to motivate our young men’s efforts on the court and in the classroom. We are thrilled to have him join our team at Hickory High.”

Poplin officially begins at the end of the current school year.