Popa comes to Saint Xavier University after spending last season at Oakland City University (Ind.). Coach Popa helped OCU improve their win total in year one. Coach Popa recruited and developed the #1 Shot Blocker in NAIA last season at OCU. He also recruited and coached one first team River States Conference (RSC) selection as well as one Third Team River States Conference (RSC) Selection.
Prior to joining Oakland City University Coach Popa spent two seasons as the top assistant at St. Mary Of The Woods College (Ind.) (2023-2025), Coach Popa helped SMWC to a 53-15 overall record and a 30-4 Record in River States Conference (RSC) play. Coach Popa helped SMWC win a regular season River States Championship, as well as a River States Conference Tournament Title in 2024-2025 season. SMWC made back-to-back NAIA men's basketball national championship appearances, which were the only two in school history, Highlighted by a Sweet 16 appearance in Kansas City in 2024-2025. Coach Popa helped SMWC reach the most wins in a single season in program history in the 2024-2025 season. He helped recruit and develop the RSC player of the year in the 2023-2024 season, as well as recruiting and coaching multiple First and Second Team All-Conference selections. During his two years at SMWC they had multiple NAIA All American Selections as well as multiple players go on to play professionally.
Prior to joining SMWC Coach Popa was an assistant coach at Division One junior college, North Dakota State College of Science during the 2022-2023 season. In his one season at NDSCS they went 29-4. Capturing Mon-Dak Regular season Championship. He helped guide them to a NJCAA D1 XIII Region Championship, followed up with being NJCAA D1 North Central District Runner Up. Coach Popa coached Two First Team All-Conference selections and One Second Team All-Conference selection that season.
Before beginning his coaching career, Tristan competed at Tiffin University (Ohio) and earned his degree in Communications and Business Management.
