By DOUG DONNELLY

Advance Editor

OTTAWA LAKE – Nick Kopp’s mentor knew exactly what his protégé is getting into when he encouraged him to apply for the Whiteford varsity girls basketball job.

Kopp, who has coached the past two season at Dundee with former Whiteford girls basketball coach Jay Haselschwerdt was named Tuesday as the next Bobcat head coach.

“He said I should apply for it,” Kopp said. “I didn’t expect to get it because I don’t have a lot of coaching experience, but Whiteford put their trust in me and I’m super excited and hope it goes well.”

Kopp is a 2018 Flat Rock graduate. He teaches social studies at Dundee. Two years ago he was hired in the middle of the school year and joined Haselschwerdt’s staff at Dundee. The Vikings won 21 games and a district title that first season.

“He’s been my mentor and saw a lot in me,” Kopp said. “He’s been instrumental in helping me. He took a chance on me. I took a job there in the middle of the school year and I didn’t know anybody and he took a chance on me and we bonded very well.”

Haselschwerdt coached the Whiteford girls basketball team from 2009-2014.

In high school Kopp played for both Dave Bogataj and Rick Smith at Flat Rock. Bogataj died in between Kopp’s junior and senior seasons. Smith took over the Rams after that. In his senior season, the Rams won 18 games and reached the regional finals. Kopp was the point guard.

 “They trusted me to the point guard,” he said. “I think those skills I learned as a player help me as a coach.”

Mark Keeling will be Kopp’s assistant coach at Whiteford. Keeling has been an assistant boys basketball coach at Whiteford for three decades.

“What I lack in experience he can combat that,” Kopp said. “He’s been there and has been through just about every situation I can think of. Everything I hear about him is great.”

Whiteford, which is currently hosting a summer basketball league, went 14-9 last season, the second and final year under head coach Nick Brillhart. The Bobcats have had five different coaches since Haselschwerdt left in 2014.