Piranhas Quarterback Kopp Says He Would Like to Play Elsewhere

Disgruntled Piranhas quarterback Troy Kopp was not at practice Tuesday and has told management he would like to be traded.

Kopp, who played at Mission Viejo High and University of the Pacific, passed for 44 touchdowns last year for Memphis. But since being acquired by the Piranhas in an off-season trade, he has played sparingly as a backup to Scooter Molander.

Kopp has played in only two games, completing 15 of 27 passes for 186 yards with two touchdown passes and two interceptions. During last week’s home victory over Milwaukee, a group of Kopp supporters began chanting, urging Coach Babe Parilli to put Kopp in the game. Later, public address announcer Mark Helmer once mistakenly called Kopp the Piranhas’ starting quarterback.

After the game, Kopp had a heated exchange in the locker room with coaches.

Parilli said he spoke with Kopp Tuesday after the team’s morning practice.

“Troy’s coming back [to practice],” Parilli said. “But he’s told us that he wants to start somewhere. If we can work out a trade for him, we’ll do that. If not this week, then probably next week.”

Parilli said the team almost traded Kopp last week but the trade fell through. The team already has begun looking for a quarterback to replace Kopp. Parilli said he might talk to former Piranha Danny O’Neil, who left the team before the season opener to concentrate on his ministry work.

Kopp was unavailable for comment. The undefeated Piranhas meet Tampa Bay, the league’s only other undefeated team, Saturday at the Pond.

“The timing on this is not good,” Parilli said.