Anyone who follows sports in the San Fernando Valley should be familiar with the Cinderella run of Nareg Kopooshian’s AGBU (Manoogian-Demirjian) Titans in the 2022-23 season. The Titans had a number of big games, including a last-second victory over Pasadena followed by a convincing win against Diamond Bar in the CIF Southern Section Division 2A playoffs. That, however, is putting the cart before the horse. This story is the rise of Nareg Kopooshian; one that began as an athlete chasing basketball dreams, and now as a coach chasing CIF plaques. Like any coach, our conversation revolved more around his team and less about himself, but we were able to get into it and get to know how he turned basketball at a school of under 300 students into a program that believes they can compete wherever they are.

IT’S A GRIND

Kopooshian played his high school basketball at Holy Martyrs, where they were consistently a playoff team. He estimates he finished with around 1,200 points in his career there. That led him to Glendale Community College, where he waited in the wings as a freshman before taking the reigns at point guard his second year. “I had no idea that my team was 25-26 years old, that’s what you get at a JUCO; it’s a grind.”

Part of his grind was leaving GCC practice as a player to go to Holy Martyrs as the lead assistant coach. He did this during both years he was playing for the Vaqueros and tasted success his first year as an assistant for the Armens. “I’m playing college basketball, I’m coaching at the same time; kind of getting the best of both worlds.” recalled Kopooshian. “I can’t really explain how tired I was at night when I got home, but that was the year I really enjoyed playing and but I also enjoyed coaching, so I knew down the line that’s what I want to do.

In the Summer after his freshman season, Kopooshian received Honorable Mention at a showcase tournament, showing solid growth as a player. His sophomore season would result in seven scholarship opportunities. His path to those offers was a grind, already a common theme. He learned the steps to earning those scholarships doing it all himself. “It was send film to like 500 schools and your return rate is 7 people answering you.” Kopooshian said.

Kopooshian and his father conducted a couple of visits to the schools that offered him, but none of them felt like a good fit. He took his time looking for his next playing opportunity and eventually ended up going on a pre-season tour with the CBA in Taiwan, with four games against four different teams. Kopooshian calls that his best basketball experience ever as a player, but it also helped shape the way he now approaches the game as a coach. ‘The game is so different overseas.” He said. “They play at such a different pace, different style… and I that’s where I grew my interest in the whole overseas system: the basketball philosophy and the gameplay.”

Though Kopooshian would not be picked up by a team after this tour, he eventually signed with the Bowling Green Hornets. Despite a good season where he averaged over 12 points and 2.5 assits per game, ranking fourth and third on the team respectively, Kopooshian’s season would end on a sour note when he tore his groin, requiring two separate surgeries. It was during the nine month recovery process where he dove back into coaching.

BUILDING THE CULTURE

Kopooshian’s post-playing career includes committing himself fully the travel program he started in 2016, called the Rebels. His team was comprised of young athletes from all over the area, including a number of them that attended the AGBU (Manoogian-Demirjian) elementary school. This would prove to be key years later when Kopooshian accepted the position as head coach of the Titans. But it wasn’t roses and sunshine in Canoga Park when he took over.

Kopooshian inherited a program that had gone 1-20 the previous season. The work ethic necessary to win was mostly missing during his first year at the helm, resulting in a 5-17 season. “I commend some of those seniors that year because they tried really hard to give me what I expected,” he said of the players that tried to change the culture of the program into what he envisioned. Turning around an entire program was proving to be more difficult than Kopooshian had expected.

The next season, the hard work started early in the summer and the turnaround was underway. The players that would eventually comprise the core of the ’22-’23 team were now freshmen, and two of them were starters on a team that finished 17-10, a marked improvement on the previous season. These Titans missed the playoffs by one game, potentially missing out on a deep playoff run. “A team that we beat by 30 got to the semi-finals, and they lost the semi-final game by 10.” Kopooshian said regarding that season, “I felt like this was a really good slap in the face for everyone. ‘You’re right there, but not good enough’.”

The following season was the COVID season, where the was no assurance that games would actually be played. Ultimately, the Titans went 8-2 overall and 6-0 in league, now with four sophomores starting. They made a run to the CIF Southern Section D-5AA semi-finals where they lost a close game to Calvary Chapel. The semi-finals appearance guaranteed AGBU an appearance in the CIF State tournament. In that contest, the Titans then jumped on the Roosevelt Rough Riders of Fresno for an early 10-0 lead, but ultimately fell to the much larger team by 11 points. “That was a year where they guys got a lot of confidence.” says Kopooshian. “They’re thinking ‘now we can do some damage, especially the fact that we’re so young, raw still (with) a whole summer to get better entering junior year.’”

THE UNDEFEATED SEASON

Those players, entering their junior year, comprised to core of that magical ’22-’23 season yet to come. They put together the lessons of their first two years and AGBU went undefeated throughout the regular season for a 21-0 record. There’s a certain pressure that builds as an undefeated streak grows, and Kopooshian’s Titans were not immune to those stressors. “When you’re 16, 17 and oh, now you’re not thinking playoffs,” he recalled, “you’re thinking I really don’t want to lose a game. I want to keep this undefeated streak going.”

Following that undefeated regular season, AGBU was ranked #7 in D-3, looking forward to another deep playoff run. What they got, however, was quite the humbling experience. The Titans were set to open the playoffs against an unranked Millikan that was battle tested in a very strong league that included Long Beach Poly. AGBU was able to shoot the ball well enough to hold a 7-point lead going into the fourth quarter before going cold. Ultimately the Rams prevailed by five points, 51-46.

“That might have been the greatest thing that happened to this group.” says Kopooshian. “The hunger level of some of these guys, two days after that game, was unreal.” He gave the team a week off before they were set to reconvene and slowly begin the process of preparing for the next season, but the team would not have it. “I get a text, like the next day in the group chat saying, ‘Coach we need to start again.’ It’s been one day.” The Titans began preparing for the next winter while teams were still in the playoffs.

That work carried them through spring and summer, where Kopooshian pushed all the right buttons. The playoff letdown the Titans were rewarded with a D2 placement when the 2022-23 CIF Southern Section Divisions were announced. In addition to the jump up in division, AGBU moved to the Liberty League in basketball, which is a step up in competition from the Independence League where they played previously.

PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE

It was at that time the Los Angeles Times reached out, having taken notice of what Kapooshian’s squad had achieved to that point. There are three things that come with a preseason spotlight in a major publication: attention, a target, and pressure. Fittingly, the theme and a motto that Kopooshian set for this team heading into the school year was, “Pressure is a Privilege”.

As part of the LA Times feature, time was spent with the team before and during practice. “We were missing shots during that practice, I guess they were a little nervous.” Kopooshian recalled. Considering the experience was a first for the team, it is no surprise that nerves could have played a part in their performance during practice. “One of the guys goes, ‘In order to win in Division 2, you guys have to make some shots.’ He said to that one of our assistant coaches.”

Comments like that and others on social media were used to add fuel to the fire, something Kopooshian calls unnecessary motivation for a driven team. There was one tweet in particular that called the Titans a fake team undeserving of media attention that was printed out and taped all over their locker room. Ultimately, AGBU suffered just four losses during the season, and each one was to a strong program – Shalhevet, Walnut, and two league losses to Oakwood.

The losses to Oakwood, who entered the season in Division 3, led to AGBU entering the playoffs as an unranked team. Their opponent in the opening round was Pasadena High School, a team that is historically good that plays in a challenging league. What resulted was a contest that Kopooshian calls his favorite game of all time, that also includes one of his favorite basketball memories as a coach.

“The reason I had ‘Pressure is a Privilege” from the beginning of the year,” Kopooshian explained, “it was this groups last year and their last run together, and they hadn’t done what they set out to do… they always wanted a CIF Championship. This is their last chance at it, you’re in Division 2, everyone is counting you out. All the media is coming to your gym; they’re really interested in how you’re doing what you’re doing. There’s a lot of pressure there. There’s two things you can do due to that pressure: One, you can fold due to that pressure, or two you can take in all that pressure and you can say ‘I’m supposed to be here, and this pressure that I have on me is a privilege.’”

THE PLAYOFF RUN

Pasadena is not necessarily a long drive from Canoga Park, and it was evident in the stands. There were approximately 500 AGBU supporters in attendance, and they were treated to a great game with an amazing finish. With just over one minute left, the Bulldogs hit a 3-point shot to go up by 4 points. The unflappable Titans came down and scored, and then forced a missed shot with time winding down. Trailing by two, and with possession, Kopooshian called timeout to set up a potential game-winning play. It was initially designed for star Avand Dorian, but he was heavily guarded, and the ball moved the the open man. Michael Martirossian, a player who had not shot the ball particularly well all season, hit the three-point shot to give AGBU the lead. The Titans defense forced a turnover as time expired and 500 supporters flooded the court in celebration.

Next up was a home contest against Diamond Bar, a team that Kopooshian had circled in his “avoid at all costs” section of the bracket. The Brahma’s arrived with less than 30 minutes left on the pre-game warm-up clock. That coupled with Kopooshian’s meticulous preparation and the shooting streak the Titans were on, and Diamond Bar was never even close. AGBU won 51-40. Mid-game, Kopooshian caught himself looking at the motto banner, “When I first released our yearly motto, I never thought that I would get back to this moment. Four, five months later, I look at it and I’m like, ‘wow, this is not what I expected going into a Division 2 playoff.’”

AGBU won another coin flip, resulting in another home game in the next round, this time against Adelanto. “If you look at the warm-ups, by the eye test, we lost this game by 20.” Said Kopooshian about what most people’s first impression would be of this contest. “Thank God the games are not decided by the eye test.” His meticulous preparation bred confidence, and that bled into his players. Kopooshian was most nervous the night before, and couldn’t sleep. Instead he was watching more film on Adelanto. But it was in that moment that he caught something and made an adjustment that would prove important. The Titans again controlled essentially all of the game, having a response for every opposing run, and held on for a 42-36 win.

Back in the semi-finals, Kopooshian prepared the Titans for their toughest test yet. Rancho Christian had five players who would go on to play Division 1 NCAA basketball. He said this was a game where the eye test would have AGBU losing by 60. But he had his team as prepared as possible for the trip to Temecula, joined by between 400 and 500 supporters. “It was a 4-hour away home game.” recalled Kopooshian.

Unfortunately, the Titans would struggle early and were down 8-0. The Eagles were trapping using their bigger wing players, something that AGBU had not seen. Kopooshian called time-out, and then experienced the second greatest moment of his coaching career. The Titans responded with a 17-2 run over the next three or four minutes to take the lead 17-10 and force Rancho Christian to call time out. “You could feel an energy in the building that I don’t think I’ve felt before,” he said, “it was pretty surreal. We go into the time out thinking we can do this, we can compete here. We ended up not being able to compete there, we lost the game by 19.”

Heads were held high despite the loss. Rancho Christian was supposed to run them out of the building, and they didn’t. The Eagles were never supposed to take a time out against the much smaller Titans, but they did. With the CIF State tournament looming, Kopooshian and the Titans were not dwelling on the loss, but looking forward to what they hoped was a long State run.

Kopooshian’s squad had a week between their semi-final appearance and their opening game of the State tournament. In the old argument of rest versus rust, this layoff appeared to have quelled the momentum the Titans had been riding. When they got back to action following a week of practice, AGBU was hosting Mission College Prep. It was a tightly contested contest that was decided by four points in overtime. The game also presented an interesting challenge on the bench.

Kopooshian is a tactician who uses film to find the best ways to attack and neutralize opposing teams. The Royals might have beaten him at his own game. The Titans utilize an extensive playbook, running action every time down the floor, including instructions from Kopooshian in Armenian. Mission College was ready for all of it. “These guys (watched) three or four or five games and picked apart everything,” he said, “to the point where even my Armenian words… they caught onto (them). I’ve never seen this in my career. Personally I feel it was a really good experience because I’ve never had someone scout us that well.”

Kopooshian lost his two best players with under six minutes left in regulation. Dorian and Arpiar Harmandian fouled out, leaving the Titans scrambling for playmakers. They were able to hit a three-point shot right before time expired to send the game into overtime, but right before the final buzzer, a little controversy ensued. There was about one second left on the clock, and a fan stepped onto the court in the the interval between the inbounds pass and the buzzer. AGBU was charged with a technical foul, because, as the home team, they are responsible for the integrity of the playing area.

The Royals started overtime with the two technical foul free throws and possession. They made both, and connected on a three-point shot to begin the overtime period with a five-point lead they would never relinquish. “That was the end of this team’s magical four-year career at AGBU.” said Kopooshian. “We’re in the locker room and it was one of the most emotional locker rooms I’ve ever been in. Guys that (I) grew up with pretty much. I mean, I’ve had them since they were nine years old and they’re done, they’re gone. It’s over.”

REPRESENTING ARMENIA

Less than 18 months after that emotional moment, Kopooshian was reunited with Dorian on the Armenian National basketball team. It was a great reunion for coach and player, and even drew attention from the Los Angeles Times.

He got the call to be on the coaching staff of the Team Armenia Summer training camp and Los Angeles International Cup, about a month before things got underway. “In 2017 I was supposed to play for the National Team, when I was still in my playing career.” Recalled Kopooshian. “It didn’t work because of my paperwork. I never got my paperwork done to get my passport and you can’t play without a passport. After that I said, “I guess this isn’t in the cards for me.’ I never thought I would be on a coaching staff for the National Team.”

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Armenian National Team, and other smaller national programs, is that they are a melting pot of experience and styles of play based on their various leagues. This iteration of Team Armenia was led by Rex Kalamian of the Milwaukee Bucks. The message Kalamian sent to the entire team was one of unity. It doesn’t matter what team they came from, or what number they were in the offensive pecking order at that team, they were to leave all that at the door and come together to play for the name on their chest, Armenia.

“Being under a couple of NBA coaches who have accomplished a lot in their careers,” said Kopooshian, “this is only a way for me to grow and a way for me to get better, and pick things apart here and take them to where I’m at right now.” He went on to detail how Kalamian and staff manage different personalities and this environment that only lasts for a week. “It gave me a cool perspective on not only meeting new guys and working with new guys, but also (establishing chemistry) with a bunch of established and talented individuals. The entire experience, I would say was really exciting. the preparation that went into practice, the preparation that went into the games.” Armenia defeated Guatemala handily, before using a furious late rally to overcome Ireland 92-91 to claim the Los Angeles International Cup.

If asked again, Kopooshian would gladly be on the Team Armenia coaching staff, so long as it doesn’t interfere with what he’s building at AGBU. That opportunity could come as soon as November, when Armenia faces Austria in the Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. “It was something were I left the week with a little bit more confident and different perspective.” Said Kopooshian, when reflecting on his week with the National Team. “I came back to practice the next day (at AGBU) with a different perspective. Why don’t I take my European philosophies and now take a couple of these NBA tweaks and mesh them together to try to create a product that now I can really advance my team.”

DO BIG THINGS WHERE YOU’RE AT

In looking at his time with the Armenian National Team, it was only natural to ask Kopooshian about his long term desires as a coach. Though he has goals of coaching in the NBA or college ranks, preferably college, Kopooshian’s focus lies with his Titans at AGBU. It’s just not in his style to chase opportunities. “The way I think is, if something is in the cards for you, it will happen naturally.” He said “Let me do the best that I can where I’m at and if it’s in the cards for me in the future, and I’m doing well and I’m good enough, it will find me.”

He reiterated his commitment to AGBU multiple times during this portion of the conversation, and it’s clear that Kopooshian has no desire to look anywhere for his next opportunity until it essentially breaks down his door. “I’m just here grinding at AGBU. I’m not thinking about anything else. I’m not pushing for anything else. It’s do big things where you’re at.”

We discussed the importance of staying hyper focused on the task at hand, and the fact that Kopooshian still has not reached the milestone he’s been chasing, a CIF title. Not that one CIF championship would satisfy him, remember, he just said “do big things where you’re at.”

The current returning Titans remind Kopooshian a little of the first year for that special class of 2023. They are very young, and for the first time, the entire roster is returning; there were no seniors on the ’23-’24 roster. They battled through a tough season, and missed the playoffs, but were very hungry to go again. Less than a week after the season ended, they asked Kopooshian when their next tournament was. “I’ve seen this movie before. I like how this movie ends. I hope we can get to our actual goal this time.”