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Regardless of the sport, anytime someone is interested in getting into coaching, there's always the distinct possibility that they would have to travel anywhere for their next job. That's exactly what's happening with former Cerritos College basketball player Jeremy Pope, who has already bounced around from Washington to Canada and Arizona in the span of four years. From 2008-10, Pope was a two-time All-South Coast Conference selection after leading the Falcon to a pair of conference championships and helped lead them to the Southern California Regional Playoffs both years.

His next move was supposed to be Cal State Northridge, changed his mind and decided to go to Montana State University. Circumstances forced him to shift and Pope ended up walking-on at San Jose State University. After a season where his experiences weren't the most favorable, Pope played his senior season at Biola University, where he thrived. He started in 15 games and averaged 9.5 points a game, but saw the season come to a quick end when they dropped their opening game of the GSAC Tournament.

Several years after playing his final collegiate game, Pope was coaching an AAU team and during warm-ups for their next game, turned his attention to the numerous college coaches flooding into the gym as they lined themselves up around the baseline and sideline in order to evaluate the talent that was going to be on display. Realizing that education was the pathway to his coaching career, Pope decided to enroll at Cal State Los Angeles in order to complete his degree. The opportunity to serve as a graduate assistant at the University of Washington, who was coached at the time by former Cerritos College great Lorenzo Romar, appeared. In order to accept the position, Pope had to go into overdrive in order to complete his Bachelor's degree at Cal State LA. Ever the competitor, Pope passed eight classes in his final semester, and completed his degree in the span of one year.

The graduate position almost didn't come about, as Romar was let go as the Huskies head coach prior to Pope accepting the position. Romar's replacement, Mike Hopkins, honored the offer and Pope was now part of a coaching staff that included former head coaches Cameron Dollar and Dave Rice, Jerry Hobbie and Will Conroy. 

As Pope said to CoachSpeak.net, "I packed my car up and hit the road to Seattle on June 13th, and arrived there on the 15th. I was starting my graduate program just four weeks after graduating with my Bachelors. Through utilizing my network, I was able to stay in the city of Tacoma, which is a good 50 minutes to an hour from campus, at a distant friend's, who graciously allowed me to 'house sit'. If you've ever lived in Seattle, you know that the drive on the I-5 can be a bit crazy at times. Coach Hop wanted the staff at the weight room at 7:30 every morning, to support the freshman. My class started at either 8:30 or 9, depending on the week, but I was at the weight room by 7:20. Sacrifices had to be made."

Those sacrifices led to a position in Toronto, Canada, which in turn, led to his currently position in Arizona coaching AZ Compas, a charter school in Chandler.

Below is a Q&A with Pope:

Coming out of Mayfair High, what made you decide to attend Cerritos College? Were you being recruited by any other schools?
I went to Cerritos College because one of my former AAU coaches was also an assistant coach at Santa Monica College, where he worked for (former Cerritos head coach) Jesse Teplitzky. Coach T then ended up taking the Cerritos job that spring/summer, we had built a relationship, and it was close to home. Came on a visit to campus late in the summer, and we got it done. Coming out of high school I was also being recruited by UC Davis, Army, Boise State and Citrus College.

In your first season, you played for first-year head coach Jesse Teplitzky, who was replaced by Russ May before your sophomore year. What were the differences in the two coaches?
They were both definitely winners, and accustomed to winning, if you look at their backgrounds, but went about it in different ways. Coach T was more of the disciplinarian, and Coach May was more laid-back. They connected with their players in differing ways.

Both of your seasons the Falcons were conference champions after going five years without a conference title. What do you recall from those two seasons? Do you still keep in touch with any of your teammates?
I remember having fun. Still the most fun years of my college playing days. We had talent, and we became a close group. We all wanted the same thing, which was to play at the next level, and understood what it would take for all of us to get there. We held each other accountable. We had a nice size freshman class when I came in, so we went through the coaching change together. I do keep up with those guys still, and I'm probably closest to Greg Preer and Greg Howell.

Also, in each of your years, the seasons ended in heartbreaking fashions. What are your memories of the loss to Saddleback in your freshman year and then to Mt. San Antonio in your sophomore year?
My freshman year against Saddleback, Kevin Menner and Frank Sessions were the two best players on the floor that night and that's what put them over the hump, although I was proud of how we played that night and being the underdog. Against Mt. SAC, we went in shorthanded with (starting point guard) Ken Brown not playing that game, and fell victim to a very tough call, which warranted Coach May receiving his first and only tech that season. Nothing to hang my head over though, both teams were very talented.

What are some of your better memories in your time at Cerritos College?
The relationships. Coach T, Coach May & Coach (Tito) Ortiz still answer my calls whenever I need them. My former teammates still are connected through social media, so it's good being able to know that they are all doing well, and we'll occasionally reminisce on our time together. I didn't grow up too far from Cerritos College, so it being a better experience than I imagined it to ever be was eye-opening, as well. But I'm sure the people and relationships are what made that experience what it was.

Initially, you were going to transfer to Cal State Northridge after your sophomore season, but you ended up at San Jose State University. What the process in how that came about?
I initially was going to CSUN, then I ultimately decided to go to Montana State. I was held up academically, didn't go to Montana State, and I actually did another semester the next fall at Cerritos and didn't play that 2010-11 season. SJSU was recruiting me the year prior, and I ended up becoming a preferred walk-on, satisfying my long-time goal of becoming a Division 1 basketball player.

You only appeared in one game for San Jose State. What were the circumstances regarding that season?
I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I wasn't playing as much as I wanted to and I was unhappy. I loved the place, being away from home, but because of the basketball piece, I wasn't happy so I transferred out.

The next season found you at Biola University. How did you end up there and what was that season like for you? Had you considered transferring to any other schools?
Coach May played middle-man with me ending up at Biola. They already had four other D1 bounce-backs, and I thought it to be a good, healthier situation for me. I came into that season a bit banged up, but I played anyway. We were talented but we didn't have the season we had wished to have. I didn't get eligible right away and was sort of playing catchup all season. I hadn't really considered going anywhere else.

Where did your basketball career take you after finishing at Biola?
I pursued professional opportunities after Biola, but I grew tired of the pursuit, and got into coaching, which was something I knew I wanted to do since I was about six or seven years old.

In 2017, you were a graduate assistant at the University of Washington. What was the process in order for you to land that assignment?
I initially was on course to get on staff with Coach Lorenzo Romar. His nieces are my best friends, so I had an affinity for Washington basketball since I was young. He ends up being let go, and they hire Mike Hopkins. I graduated from CSULA, where the athletic director, Dr. Daryl Gross, and I had formed a pretty good relationship. He was the athletic director at Syracuse University for 11 years prior to coming to CSULA. He helped me get in contact with Coach Hopkins and his staff, and that's all she wrote.

While you were with the Huskies, you continued your education. What did you earn your degree in and what was an average day like for you juggling both classwork and coaching?
I got my graduate degree in Education. I was in the Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership (IAL) program. The program was a cohort style program, and there were about 40 of us. We got through it all together which was unique and beneficial. The program was also very understanding and flexible, so it worked well with my coaching duties. We were in-class during the summer, but during the school year, it was all online, which saved me some time as well. It wasn't bad at all to be honest.

What was your educational goal prior to staring at Cerritos and how did it change throughout your collegiate career?
I always wanted to obtain a 4-year degree, so that's how it started. I promised my family that I would do that, and in my family it was an expectation. I never knew that education and athletics would push me to pursue a Master's degree. That came as a surprise to myself.

What advice would you give any college student-athlete on their educational plans?
Plan! Do your best to not waste your time, energy and money. Meet with counselors, take the right classes and develop a work ethic. It translates to the real world.

Take us through your next step, which sent you north of the border and into Canada. How did that position come about and where did you coach?
I coached at the best prep program in all of Canada, Athlete Institute/Orangeville Prep. Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray, former lottery pick Thon Maker, and OKC Thunder's LuGuentz Dort are all former players of the program. Mike Hopkins, while at Syracuse, coached Tyler Ennis (#18 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft). Tyler's father, Tony McIntyre was my boss in Canada. A relationship between Coach Hop & Coach McIntyre is how all that unfolded.

What were some of your initial thoughts about Toronto and what were your impressions when your coaching assignment came to an end?
That it was far! I had never lived on the East Coast, and only been to the East Coast once before in my life. Oh, and that I was going to freeze. A SoCal kid living in Toronto. Didn't know what to expect, but I was intrigued. When it came to an end and I embarked on a new opportunity, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Coach McIntyre and his wife, Suzette (who I consider a mother-figure in my life) took really good care of me while I was there, so Canada feels a part of me in a lot of ways. Great people up there. They were proud and happy for me, so that made it easier.

Pope also told CoachSpeak.net, "Working for visionaries such as Dave Benezra, Mike Hopkins, and Tony McIntyre, has been a blessing. God places the people in your life that you need and I'm grateful every day. Your level of sacrifice should match the value of which the very thing you're in pursuit of, calls for. The pursuit of what I want has driven me to Toronto, Canada, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have been given the chance to live in another country and see an overall different style of living, while being forced to grow in my discomfort and it's been great. I was given my own development team to head coach, in one of the best prep leagues in North America (Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association). Sitting in a head coaching seat and getting those reps, has been invaluable for me and my own cognizance."

In a strange twist, you were then offered a job coaching at a high school in Arizona. Tell us about the school, the team and your responsibilities.
I am the national team assistant coach at AZ Compass. We're a small, boutique charter school in Chandler, AZ. We recruit nationally and play a national schedule. At Orangeville Prep, we played each other both years I was up there. We function at a high-level, have great resources, and I'm surrounded and work with great people. I'm fortunate to be able to say that about all of my coaching stops. I'm very happy about the move. As well as recruiting, on-court coaching and overseeing some academic stuff, I am the team house supervisor. So yes, I live with some of the kids on the team that aren't from Arizona. It's an experience, to say the least, but I'm not that old, so I relate to them and gives me a chance to connect with them on a different level.

What are your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
My long-term goal is to be a head coach at the Division I level, but ultimately to continue to be a servant leader while using basketball coaching as the vehicle of that service. At the same time, I have a lot of learning and growing to do in this profession, but I always viewed myself as a head coach. In 10 years, it's my hope that I have done what I was supposed to do and taken the necessary steps to bring that goal to fruition. I want a family to enjoy this journey with, so I plan to be a husband and father, as well.

Who knows, in the next 10 years, Jeremy Pope could have put many, many more miles on his car and had experiences that would put him in the spot on the bench he desires.