Washington basketball coach Mike Hopkins will not return to the program next season, the school announced.
Hopkins, a two-time Pac-12 coach of the year, had one season left on his contract and will be owed $3.1 million.
Hopkins, 54, has a 118-105 record in his seven seasons at Washington. The Huskies are 17-14 this season and 9-11 in Pac-12 play entering next week’s conference tournament.
“Mike has led the program with great integrity during his seven years at Washington, and remains a highly respected coach and one of the great gentlemen in the game,” athletic director Troy Dannen said in a statement Friday. “Everyone at the university is grateful for his service, his commitment to the experience of our student-athletes and his leadership within the department.”
Washington completed the regular season with a 74-68 road win over No. 18 Washington State on Thursday night.
Washington has reached the NCAA Tournament just once during Hopkins’ tenure. The Huskies went 27-9 in that 2018-19 season, their best mark under Hopkins.
Washington experienced losing seasons the next two campaigns, including a 5-21 mark in the 2020-21 season.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Washington the last seven years,” Hopkins said. “Thank you to my players, staff, administration, fans, and alumni that have made this experience special and an awesome place for my family and me. The relationships we’ve made will last a lifetime.”
Before his Washington stint, Hopkins spent 22 seasons on the staff at Syracuse. He went 4-5 as interim coach in the 2015-16 season when Jim Boeheim was serving a suspension.
Washington’s next coach will lead the program into its first season in the Big Ten.
“As we transition to the Big Ten Conference this August, we do so with tremendous momentum, passionate fans and supporters, as well as a proud basketball tradition,” Dannen said. “I am confident we will identify a phenomenal leader for our men’s basketball program who will embrace our institution’s high expectations for academic, social and competitive success.”
–Field Level Media
