We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nareg (Chris) Kopooshian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nareg (Chris) below.
Nareg (Chris), thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
All my life, through my college playing career, I’ve always been underestimated due to my size. That doubt is what drove me day in and day out to not only have a successful playing career, but also develop this obsessive work ethic, not to necessarily prove haters wrong, but to prove myself right. I am a testament to obsession. This continued onto my coaching career, where I coached a small Armenian High School with 206 students, whom everyone counted out through various media articles, all the way to the Division 2 Final 4. My drive comes from the nay-sayers. I sometimes think, if I didn’t hear the negativity around me, would I be this obsessive about my craft? I was told last season, before our 1st round matchup against a 3,000 student public school that my team wouldn’t stand a chance and we “shouldn’t show up” to our game. These types of comments are what ring my internal alarm clock at 4:00 am to rewatch film on our opponents, all to do what everyone said we can’t. In short, haters are essentially the fuel the car needs to get up that hill, and all of a sudden, the climb doesn’t feel as steep as it originally looked.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My professional life is extremely important to me. I am the Head Boys Basketball Coach at AGBU Canoga Park, a small Armenian school with 206 students, who has made a bunch of headlines in the last few seasons as the underdog team who has shocked the CIF world. I love what I do – It’s not just my passion, It’s my life purpose. I help do my part to impact lives, everyday. I have graduated a ton of very successful alumni, all of which I still keep in contact with and help as best I can to this day. Coaching is not just about basketball, it’s about being an inspiration and positive role model to all these young and impressionable student athletes, who are simply looking for their path in life. I believe that my job is to help steer them on that path. Discipline is something I preach day in and day out both on and off the court. Once all these athletes have gone through my system, it’s that discipline and work ethic they hopefully will carry with them throughout all their future endeavors. I also own a Youth Basketball club program, called Rebels Elite basketball LLC centered around development and advancement of student athletes. That’s essentially served as the place I help mold athletes before they get to high school, all to ensure that they are guided on the best path they can possibly be on to maximize their careers.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 1st of 3 qualities or skills is my ability to adjust and adapt on the fly. In both life and in basketball, not everything will go as you mapped out. I’m a very calculated and extremely strategic individual, however, one of my best traits that I would say helped me was; the ability to adapt on the fly. My 2nd quality that sets me apart is my obsession and work ethic toward my craft. I truly believe this is a skill not everyone has – its intrinsic, comes from within. Once you truly love something, you need to dive into it head first and keep swimming, no matter what. If you’re not obsessed with it, you don’t truly love it. Coaching basketball is something I love and am obsessed with. Without this skill, our underdog teams would never have overachieved all these years. There might be someone with more talent out there, but preparation and discipline tramples undisciplined talent anyway of the week. My advice would be to find something you love, and relentlessly work at it.
My 3rd quality/skill is leadership. This is a multi-layered quality. Leadership is not only about captivating a room, it’s about making your audience believe in both you and what you’re trying to accomplish. In order to get the most out of your players, you must first instill confidence in them, effectively communicate, teach, empower, and watch how they run through a wall for you.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents were always in my corner – they put a basketball in my hand when I was only 9 months old. No matter the obstacle, they always made me feel like I didn’t have to face it alone. They were always tough on me at the same time – if I fell, they would tell me to toughen it out and get up. When I contemplated quitting something when I was young, they would tell me “you always finish what you started.” At the same time, they are always there for me, no matter what. The most impactful thing they did for me was be present. They challenged me, made me think, even when I was too stubborn to do so. Nothing great was ever accomplished without a powerful support system.
Contact Info:
- Website:cnk10.com
- Instagram: @cnk10_
- Twitter: @cnk10_
- Youtube: @cnk10_
Image Credits
Bigneeksmedia JamesRailproductions
