The Husky Haul
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Washington Huskies Fill Final Coaching Position, Dave Rice Hired

By Bret Stuter

Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange assistant coach Gerry McNamara and assistant coach Mike Hopkins look on prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse defeated South Carolina State 101-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange assistant coach Gerry McNamara and assistant coach Mike Hopkins look on prior to the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse defeated South Carolina State 101-59. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Balanced Coaching Staff

That sets up the coaching staff for the future today.  With Mike Hopkins at the helm, Will Conroy as the coach with most seniority, Cameron Dollar with past ties to UW as well as huge ties to Washington recruiting, and with Dave Rice as the venerable veteran with plenty of NCAA Tournament experience, the list is all checked off.

The diversity of this coaching staff is well balanced. Hopkins has landed three solid assistant coaches, all with excellent resumes. Conroy is the player’s coach. He is the coach who knows each player, and can work with them through the transition of what was to what is and eventually what will be.

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Syracuse Basketball: 5-star target balls out in EYBL, offered by Coach Hop
Syracuse Basketball: 5-star target balls out in EYBL, offered by Coach Hop /

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    • Dollar is that infectiously “likable” guy who is savvy, intelligent and articulate. He is a solid recruiter, and he has been a former UW coach linked to some of the best years of the program’s recent history.

    Built For Tourney Time

    Now Rice joins the coaching staff as the veteran who has been to the dance and back.  Much like Hopkins, he has been an integral part of “getting into” the NCAA Tournament.  Rice brings defensive toughness to the team that needs to strengthen defensively.  His struggles have been in the meticulous patience required to forge championship caliber teams.  That simply will not happen with Hopkins.

    It’s clear this coaching staff is not piecemeal. The staff is already complimentary of one another on paper.  This simply “feels” like a cast who have their own specialization, but enough passion for the game to find plenty of middle ground.

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    Most of all, for the players who remained, who continue to honor their previous commitment, or who might join the team, this is a staff of expertise who can elevate the game of each player.

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