Washington Athletic Director Jen Cohen announced Thursday that head men’s basketball coach Mike Hopkins has agreed to an extension that will keep the back-to-back Pac-12 Coach of the Year on Montlake through 2025.
“I couldn’t be happier to be at the University of Washington and am so thankful for the leadership we have under both President Ana Mari Cauce and Athletic Director Jen Cohen,” said Hopkins. “I’ve always said ‘people, place and potential’ matter and Washington is exactly where I want to be. Our program is surrounded by great people and we’ve made some great strides in our first two years here. I’m very excited for the future of Husky basketball and am grateful for the support of the University and our awesome Husky fans!”
Hopkins’ back-to-back Coach of the Year honors make him the first coach in league history to earn the accolade in each of his first two seasons with a program. He has led the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 after guiding the program to their first regular-season conference title since the 2011-12 season and the Dawgs’ 15 wins in conference play this season tied for the most in program history.
Equally as impressive are the strides the program has made in the classroom. Men’s basketball had its best fall quarter academically in more than a decade and all four of Washington’s seniors are on pace to graduate this year.
“Coach Hopkins has led our men’s basketball program back to national prominence in just two short years and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to extend his contract,” said Cohen. “Not only has Coach Hopkins made an immediate impact on the on-court success of our men’s basketball program, but he has fully embraced this campus and the entire city of Seattle. I look forward to seeing the difference he continues to make in the lives of our incredible student-athletes and in this incredible city.”
Coach Hopkins made a big splash last year with the city of Seattle when he used his entire Coach of the Year bonus to purchase Starbucks gift cards for Husky fans. His infectious personality has re-energized the basketball community and brought new life into Alaska Airlines Arena.
Washington has recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons in Hop’s two years, making him just the second UW coach (Tippy Dye) in program history to reach 20 wins in his first two years.
“We are just getting started on Montlake and I’m thrilled to be working alongside Coach Hop and our stakeholders as we partner to pursue our goals of winning national championships,” concluded Cohen.
Coach Hop and the Husky men’s basketball team open the NCAA Tournament Friday against Utah State at 3:50 p.m. (PST).
“I couldn’t be happier to be at the University of Washington and am so thankful for the leadership we have under both President Ana Mari Cauce and Athletic Director Jen Cohen,” said Hopkins. “I’ve always said ‘people, place and potential’ matter and Washington is exactly where I want to be. Our program is surrounded by great people and we’ve made some great strides in our first two years here. I’m very excited for the future of Husky basketball and am grateful for the support of the University and our awesome Husky fans!”
Hopkins’ back-to-back Coach of the Year honors make him the first coach in league history to earn the accolade in each of his first two seasons with a program. He has led the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 after guiding the program to their first regular-season conference title since the 2011-12 season and the Dawgs’ 15 wins in conference play this season tied for the most in program history.
Equally as impressive are the strides the program has made in the classroom. Men’s basketball had its best fall quarter academically in more than a decade and all four of Washington’s seniors are on pace to graduate this year.
“Coach Hopkins has led our men’s basketball program back to national prominence in just two short years and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to extend his contract,” said Cohen. “Not only has Coach Hopkins made an immediate impact on the on-court success of our men’s basketball program, but he has fully embraced this campus and the entire city of Seattle. I look forward to seeing the difference he continues to make in the lives of our incredible student-athletes and in this incredible city.”
Coach Hopkins made a big splash last year with the city of Seattle when he used his entire Coach of the Year bonus to purchase Starbucks gift cards for Husky fans. His infectious personality has re-energized the basketball community and brought new life into Alaska Airlines Arena.
Washington has recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons in Hop’s two years, making him just the second UW coach (Tippy Dye) in program history to reach 20 wins in his first two years.
“We are just getting started on Montlake and I’m thrilled to be working alongside Coach Hop and our stakeholders as we partner to pursue our goals of winning national championships,” concluded Cohen.
Coach Hop and the Husky men’s basketball team open the NCAA Tournament Friday against Utah State at 3:50 p.m. (PST).
https://gohuskies.com/news/2019/3/21/mens-basketball-hopkins-agrees-to-extension-through-2025.aspx
