Kelly Sopak enters his first season as head coach of the University of Nevada women's basketball program after being named the Wolf Pack's head coach on March 24, 2026.
Sopak arrives in Reno as one of the most respected coaches, teachers, and talent developers in women's basketball. The founder of the nationally recognized Cal Stars Basketball Club and a multiple time championship high school coach in California, Sopak has spent more than two decades building championship programs while developing players who have excelled at the collegiate, professional, and international levels. In 2025, he was recognized by Silver Waves Media as one of the 100 Most Impactful People in Women's Basketball.
Throughout his coaching career, Sopak has developed some of the game's most accomplished players. His coaching résumé includes nine WNBA Draft selections, 25 USA Basketball athletes, 18 McDonald's All Americans, and 17 Gatorade Players of the Year.
Among his most notable former players is Olympic Gold Medalist and WNBA All-Star, Sabrina Ionescu. Sopak coached Ionescu with both Cal Stars and Miramonte High School before she enjoyed one of the most decorated collegiate careers in history at Oregon, became the No. 1 overall selection in the 2020 WNBA Draft, and helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Sopak comes to Nevada following six successful seasons at Carondelet High School in Concord, California, where he transformed the Cougars into one of the premier programs in the state. During his tenure, Carondelet compiled a 143 and 31 record while capturing the 2025 CIF Division I State Championship, three North Coast Section championships, three CIF Northern Regional Championship Game appearances, and the 2025 Northern Regional title. Following the championship season, Sopak was named the 2024-25 Cal Hi Sports State Coach of the Year.
In January 2025, Sopak earned the 500th victory of his high school coaching career, joining an elite group of California girls basketball coaches to reach the milestone. He enters the collegiate ranks with an overall high school head coaching record of 541 and 97.
Prior to Carondelet, Sopak spent 12 seasons at Miramonte High School, where he built one of California's premier basketball programs. The Matadors posted a 304 and 46 record during his tenure, winning five North Coast Section championships, seven league championships, and the 2016 CIF Open Division Northern California Championship. From 2013 through 2016, Miramonte compiled an extraordinary 119 and 9 record while advancing to the CIF State Championship Game.
Sopak began his varsity head coaching career at Northgate High School after serving as an assistant under longtime coach, Mark Bucklew. During four seasons at Northgate, his teams posted a 94 and 20 record, captured three league championships, and advanced to two North Coast Section championship games before he accepted the head coaching position at Miramonte.
Beyond the high school ranks, Sopak has established himself as one of the nation's premier grassroots basketball leaders through Cal Stars Basketball Club. Since founding the program in 2006, he has helped more than 400 student athletes earn collegiate basketball opportunities while building one of the country's most respected player development organizations.
Under Sopak's leadership, Cal Stars captured the 2015 & 2021 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Championship while his 17U teams earned three total national championships, one national runner up finish, two additional Final Four appearances, and more than 1,000 victories.
His reputation as one of the game's elite teachers also led to his selection as a court coach for the 2015 USA Basketball Women's Under 16 National Team Trials.
Sopak's coaching philosophy is built on relationships, player development, accountability, and daily improvement. His teams have consistently been recognized for their unselfish style of play, attention to detail, competitive toughness, and commitment to excellence on and off the court. At Nevada, he has established the program's foundation around the principles of 'Connect. Commit. Compete.' while emphasizing an environment where student athletes are challenged to become exceptional players, graduates, leaders, and people.
His vision is to build a championship culture that competes annually for Mountain West Conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and national recognition. Through elite player development, innovative offensive systems, relentless competitiveness, and a family atmosphere rooted in trust, Sopak is committed to returning Nevada Women's Basketball to sustained success while creating a destination program for elite student athletes across the country.
A 1995 graduate of the University of Nevada, Sopak earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He and his wife, Beverley, also a University of Nevada graduate, have two daughters. Lauren serves as Vice President of Event Operations for Nike Tournament of Champions, while Leah is an assistant coach with the TCU women's basketball program in Fort Worth, Texas.
