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

The University of Washington Huskies turned around the hiring of a new men’s basketball head coach, Mike Hopkins, in record time.

After fifteen years with the same head coach, you might has guessed it would take the University of Washington Huskies Athletics Department several weeks to fill the vacated head coaching position of the men’s basketball team.

But you would be wrong.

A Tsunami Of Positives

Based upon the reaction of Syracuse fans to the hire, the Huskies hit the jackpot in landing Mike Hopkins.  But his name never appeared in any of the “lists” of potentials.  And unashamedly, not even on the list of six we had projected earlier.

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We knew it would be a national search this time, but the rapid action by the Huskies never allowed that broad net to be cast.   So who is Mike Hopkins? What does he bring to the table? And is there enough information to speculate as to how the hiring occurred just days after Coach Lorenzo Romar’s dismissal?

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.

What does Michael Hopkins Bring to the Table?

Passion.

He lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps basketball. Not just at a participation level. He loves competition, but loves to win even more.

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Not in a harsh militant way. He prepares his players as he had once prepared himself, by leaving nothing to chance.  It’s that aspect which has gained his high reputation in the sport of basketball nationwide.   He has served as the Court Coach for Team USA in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2012, a role he has relished:

"“That is what is fun, now is like the second or third time you’ve been around them, so you build strong bonds and strong relationships. That’s what I love about this business.”"

Despite his focus on excellence, he makes it a point to mark bonds and relationships as the true reason for his love of the sport. And those qualities stand out in the best of NCAA head coaches.

How Did UW Land Hopkins?

To be fair, Mike Hopkins showed up in my research of possible candidates for the head coaching position. But with his “solely Syracuse” background, and the imminent retirement of Boeheim, his name was scratched from my list.

Inside the Loud House

Had I more time, I would have restored his name to my list, perhaps even to the top of the list. You see, I didn’t get to write about the change of Mike Hopkins’ agents back in 2013. His new agent, IMG’s senior corporate vice president and head of clients Sandy Montag, a 2013 story I only recently uncovered as part of my basketball head coach research written by Mike Waters of Syracuse.com

"“His next contract will be a head coaching contract,” Montag told the Sports Business Journal. “I have known Mike a while, and the time is right for him to get some representation.”"

Montag didn’t seal that deal, as Hopkins changed agents, signing on with Bret Just and Jimmy Sexton of Creative Artists Agency.  While Bret Just may not be a familiar name, Jimmy Sexton is widely known by fans of pro sports.

CAA also represents, you guessed it, former Indiana head coach Tom Crean. Crean did make my list for UW.   But I pulled Hopkins name off the list.

UW Cohen Beams Over Hopkins Hire

But apparently not from the official list.

It was clear from the tone of UW Athletic Director Jennifer Cohen that she has a little bit of excitement with this hire. And well she should be.

"“I’m extremely excited to welcome Mike and his family to Seattle,” Cohen said. “His resume and reputation within the basketball community made him stand out to us, but ultimately it was his vision for Washington, his passion for teaching and developing student-athletes and his close alignment with the core values of our institution and department that made it more than clear that he was the right fit for us.”"

For all intents and purposes, this was a coup on the part of the Washington Huskies. The team landed a successful assistant coach from a great basketball program who is ready to take on the helm as head coach. And he has something to prove now. His former school was passing him by.

"“The University of Washington is such a unique place, with a world-class University, an exciting basketball history and unbelievable fan support,” Hopkins said. “Together, I believe we can build something very special in Seattle, and I can’t wait to get started. I can’t express enough thanks to Coach Boeheim for so many years of mentorship and guidance,” Hopkins said. “The timing is right for me and my family to make this move.”"

Now all that remains is to focus on the specifics of what he brings to the team.

What team will Hopkins develop?

He knows basketball. In fact, Mike Hopkins knows virtually all the intracacies of NCAA college basketball.  Hopkins has been a key component to the recruiting and retention of key basketball players for the University of Syracuse in his tenure.

But he offers even more connections than just Syracuse University. He has coached with Team USA, and has inroads with the elite of basketball in the nation.  That is something you will not find beyond the court of most head coaches.

But what matters most is what the team delivers on the court. That was the unfortunate downfall of former head coach Lorenzo Romar.  In his short tenure as acting head coach, his record was 7-3. In that 2015-2016 season, Syracuse made it to the NCAA Final Four.

Roll Some Video

Hopkins loves defense and here’s a coaching video where he is coaching the 2-3 defense:

And he continues here:

But he has the mindset of a guard. That means he will focus on offensive passing, keeping a handle on the ball, and scheming offensive plays.

Reason for Optimism

Hopkins is more than just a name or a warm, body. He is the long ripened product of a very successful NCAA men’s basketball program.

And he has a chip on his shoulder.

Now, moving long distances from coast to coast may not be a seamless transition. The UW Huskies may be challenged in the 2017 to break .500. The current roster of players and prospects may seek other basketball programs in the immediate future.

But Coach Hopkins is a respected name in the NCAA and in the basketball world for good reason. He is a humble man whose accomplishments are headliners. He doesn’t seek fame, merely to be the best and to bring out the best of the players around him.

While he may not have a long run of head coaching experience, there are only a handful of persons who doubt his ability to take it to the next level.  He handled the interim head coaching role with Syracuse with flying colors.

Next: University of Washington Huskies Sunday Sports Summary

In the end, the progression to an NCAA Div I head coaching position sources from two spots: a head coach from a Div II or III program who excels, or an assistant head coach from a successful Div I program.  UW has elected the second option.  I think it was a good choice.