Mike Hopkins

Michael Griffith Hopkins (born August 6, 1969) is an American professional basketball coach who is an assistant coach and the head of player development for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Previously, he was a longtime assistant at Syracuse University before taking over as head coach for the University of Washington from 2017 until 2024. He spent one season as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns from 2024 to 2025.

The 6-foot-5 Hopkins, from Laguna Hills, California, was a fan favorite during his playing days at Syracuse, known for his all-out hustle and general scrappy play.

High school career Born in the Northern California city of San Mateo and raised in the Southern California city of Laguna Hills, Hopkins was a member of the 1987 California state championship team at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California that also featured future NBA player LeRon Ellis. Having graduated from Mater Dei in 1988, Hopkins enrolled at Syracuse while Ellis went on to a two-year career at the University of Kentucky. After Kentucky was placed on probation, Hopkins would play an instrumental role in convincing his high school teammate to transfer to Syracuse.

College career Hopkins played sparingly in his first two seasons at Syracuse before becoming the team's starting shooting guard in his junior year. That year, Hopkins hit the game-winning free throws with three seconds remaining against Connecticut to propel the Orange to the 1992 Big East Championship. However, in October, Athletic Director Daryl Gross refuted that story, saying that his quote was taken out of context.

Away from Syracuse, Hopkins was the Court Coach for Team USA in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2012.

In March 2010, Hopkins' name surfaced in connection with the head coaching vacancy at Charlotte. Hopkins was reported to be a finalist for the Oregon State University head coaching vacancy in May 2014.

On June 25, 2015, Hopkins was formally named Men's Basketball Head Coach-Designate by Syracuse University.

Hopkins served as head coach during Jim Boeheim's controversial nine-game suspension from December 5, 2015, to January 5, 2016. Hopkins later received credit as coach for the nine games while Boeheim was suspended.

Washington On March 19, 2017, Hopkins was announced as head basketball coach at the University of Washington for the 2017–18 season. Hopkins signed a six-year deal worth $12.3 million. He earned $1.8 million in his first year and an additional $100,000 each subsequent year.

Coach Hopkins earned the Pac-12's Coach of the Year award in each of his first two seasons at the University of Washington, leading the Huskies to a regular -season conference title in the 2018–19 season.

On March 8, 2024, the University of Washington announced Hopkins would not return for the 2024–25 season.

Phoenix Suns On June 11, 2024, the Phoenix Suns hired Hopkins as an assistant under new head coach Mike Budenholzer. His addition was made official on August 6.

New Orleans Pelicans On August 5, 2025, Hopkins was hired by the New Orleans Pelicans as the team's head of player development/assistant coach under head coach Willie Green.

Head coaching record

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim was suspended for nine games, during which Hopkins served as the interim head coach and was credited for those games.