There was surprising news last week as it appeared Mike Hopkins may be headed back to the college coaching sidelines. Reports had him as a favorite to be the next head coach at Siena. That has changed in the last day, according to insider Sam Federman. It now has a low chance of happening, and Hopkins may remain in the NBA, helping in different capacities.
Siena lost head coach Gerry McNamara to his alma mater, Syracuse, prompting Siena to resume its search for its next head coach. The success Mike Hopkins has had in college and in the NBA has led him to be a name that surfaced for the school. Now it seems as if that ship has sailed.
Things can change quickly. Hearing from multiple sources now that this is unlikely to happen. https://t.co/Bc3Ap9hfA2
— Sam Federman (@Sam_Federman) March 29, 2026
Siena and Mike Hopkins are now 'unlikely' to be a match according to latest reports
Related: Arizona fans are stressed about Tommy Lloyd and blaming Jedd Fisch
Hopkins had mixed results as a college basketball coach. He brought the legendary Jim Boeheim zone defense to Washington, and it worked tremendously. For about two years, Hopkins has been winning back-to-back Pac-12 coach of the year awards. Then, as the league adjusted and Hopkins did not, things began to fall apart, and the former Husky coach couldn't quite find a winning season again.
He then transitioned to the NBA, where he has helped with defensive coaching adjustments and worked in various capacities at a couple of different NBA stops. There's a clear idea that he could make the pivot back to the sidelines and have some success in college again. His pedigree is still unmatched, and a new opportunity after an NBA reset may have been just what he needed.
However, he may not be interested in the Siena job or may not be ready for the head coaching responsibility again. Who knows exactly, and everything would just be speculation at this point. But the reports are indicating that the deal has fallen through and Hopkins won't be the next coach at Siena.