Trojan Diving Alum Kim Popp Named New USC Diving Assistant Coach
September 10, 2025 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
Popp, who dove on USC’s team from 2005-08, returns to Troy to mentor the next generation of Trojan divers.
 LOS ANGELES – Kim Popp, who captained USC's diving squad in 2008, has been named the programs new diving assistant coach, Trojan diving head coach Hongping Li announced today, Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Popp becomes the third Trojan graduate on the swimming and diving coaching staff, with Li, Popp and USC swimming associate head coach Meghan Hawthorne all having previously represented the Cardinal and Gold as student-athletes.Â
A standout member of the USC women's diving team from 2005 to 2008, Popp was a two-time NCAA Championships qualifier and a four-time Pac-10 finalist. Among her collegiate highlights was a 12th-place finish on platform at the 2007 NCAA Championships and back-to-back runner-up finishes on platform at the Pac-10 Championships in 2006 and 2007.
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Popp began her career at USC as a walk-on in 2005 and went on to earn an athletic scholarship, a testament to her relentless work ethic and determination.
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In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Popp excelled academically, earning her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in Kinesiology from USC. Â
She later earned her master's degree in MSc Coaching Science in Sport from the University College Dublin in 2019.Â
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Popp has been an integral part of the Trojan Dive Club coaching staff since her time as a student-athlete, contributing to the development of young divers with her technical expertise and deep understanding of the sport.
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In addition to coaching, Popp also worked in sports science for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Red Bull and the White Sox. The Southern California graduate has also served as a faculty lecturer in biomechanics on campus.Â
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Popp becomes the third Trojan graduate on the swimming and diving coaching staff, with Li, Popp and USC swimming associate head coach Meghan Hawthorne all having previously represented the Cardinal and Gold as student-athletes.Â
A standout member of the USC women's diving team from 2005 to 2008, Popp was a two-time NCAA Championships qualifier and a four-time Pac-10 finalist. Among her collegiate highlights was a 12th-place finish on platform at the 2007 NCAA Championships and back-to-back runner-up finishes on platform at the Pac-10 Championships in 2006 and 2007.
Â
Popp began her career at USC as a walk-on in 2005 and went on to earn an athletic scholarship, a testament to her relentless work ethic and determination.
Â
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Popp excelled academically, earning her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in Kinesiology from USC. Â
She later earned her master's degree in MSc Coaching Science in Sport from the University College Dublin in 2019.Â
Â
Popp has been an integral part of the Trojan Dive Club coaching staff since her time as a student-athlete, contributing to the development of young divers with her technical expertise and deep understanding of the sport.
Â
In addition to coaching, Popp also worked in sports science for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Red Bull and the White Sox. The Southern California graduate has also served as a faculty lecturer in biomechanics on campus.Â
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