A.L. Brown High has hired Andy Poplin as its newest faculty member and new head boys basketball coach. Coach Poplin has a legacy as a great educator and coach. He has been a winner everywhere he has coached, including stints at Mount Pleasant, Concord, and most recently, Hickory High School, where the Red Tornadoes were conference champions four of the last five years in either the regular or post season.

Poplin will replace Shelwyn Klutz who is retiring at the end of the school year. Coach Klutz established a legacy of excellence. Coach Poplin will build and expand on that legacy.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Kannapolis community as a teacher and basketball coach at A.L. Brown High School,” Poplin said. “This is a great honor. I’d like to thank God for this new platform in Kannapolis. I’d like to thank my new principal, Mr. (Angelo) DelliSanti, and my new athletic director, Coach (Empsy) Thompson, for allowing me the opportunity to share my vision with them for Kannapolis basketball. As we grow our foundation and build our culture, my goals and my vision is to grow young men, build character, and set each player up for success beyond A.L. Brown. To build this culture of excellence we need everyone to be all-in. I want our players to grow and be better men because of their experience in our program. I want to serve our player’s heart, not just their talent.”

A. L. Brown principal Angelo DelliSanti said, “We are incredibly excited about Coach Poplin’s ability to continue our school’s traditions of both success and character within our athletics program. Coach Poplin’s record as a coach is impeccable and, in the short time, that I have gotten to know him, his character seems equally outstanding. I look forward to working alongside Coach Poplin for many years to come.”

Dr. Chip Buckwell, KCS superintendent said, “When you follow a coach who has been a leader for 20-plus years, it is difficult, but we are looking forward to Coach Poplin working to help our Wonders become better students and basketball players.”

Poplin will begin with KCS by the start of the school year in August.