He was fired on January 11, 1974, after suspending Rod Gilbert for a game due to missing a team meeting: the meeting time had been moved but Popein had not informed Gilbert, though he upheld the suspension.
Popein's tenure ended on January 11, 1974, as a result of his choice to bench Rod Gilbert from a match due to Gilbert's failure to attend an essential team gathering. Popein had moved the meeting time but did not notify Gilbert, and this decision was upheld.