The Husky Haul
Fansided

Mike Hopkins “His Next Contract Will Be Head Coaching Contract”

By Bret Stuter

Dec 22, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange acting head coach Mike Hopkins reacts to a play against the Montana State Bobcats during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange acting head coach Mike Hopkins reacts to a play against the Montana State Bobcats during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Dec 22, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange acting head coach Mike Hopkins reacts to a play against the Montana State Bobcats during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange acting head coach Mike Hopkins reacts to a play against the Montana State Bobcats during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Who Is Michael Hopkins?

Well, believe it or not, the past 28 years of Michael Hopkins has been Syracuse University.  But the crazy thing is, he is a west coast to east coast back to west coast story.

You see, he was born in Laguna Hills, California in 1969. At his college basketball playing days, the 6-foot-5 guard from the University of Syracuse was high energy on the court, and spent countless hours after practice in the gym and the weight room, tirelessly improving his game, and his reputation.

“His next contract will be a head coaching contract”

Never drafted to the NBA, he did flirt internationally, and with domestic
development league Rochester Renegades before hanging it up to join the University of Syracuse coaching staff.

Coaching

He began with the Syracuse Orangemen as a recruiter and position coach (guards).  His tenure with the program lasted 21 years. He was considered to be the heir apparent to the head coaching position for Syracuse under long time great Jim Boeheim, the same head coach Hopkins had played for.

Due to NCAA infractions, Boeheim was suspend for ten games in the 2015-2016 season, and during that time Hopkins was the acting head coach. Boeheim has been discussing retirement, but the University of Syracuse has indicated they would do a national search should that occur.

Perhaps that is the opening with allowed the University of Washington Huskies to poach Hopkins right out from under the University of Syracuse’s nose.

Home/Basketball