In a fascinating turn of events, college basketball circles are buzzing with the news that Mike Hopkins, a seasoned former Syracuse assistant coach, is being eyed by Siena to take the reins as their next head coach. This move would see Hopkins step in for Gerry McNamara at Siena, a key player in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
McNamara, who recently took over as head coach at Syracuse, filled the shoes of Adrian Autry. Autry's tenure saw a mixed bag of results, with a record of 49-48 over three seasons at his alma mater.
Siena's recent season was nothing short of impressive. They wrapped up with a 23-12 record and clinched the MAAC Tournament title. Their performance in the NCAA Tournament was notable too, as they nearly toppled the top-seeded Duke in a thrilling first-round matchup.
Currently, Hopkins is serving as an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. Prior to this, he was part of the Phoenix Suns' coaching staff. His journey from a Syracuse shooting guard to a respected figure in coaching circles has been remarkable.
Hopkins' potential move to Siena is generating excitement. His name was in the mix for the Syracuse job following Autry's departure, but McNamara ultimately got the nod.
Hopkins' deep roots with Syracuse, where he spent 22 seasons on the coaching staff, highlight his extensive experience. He was even designated as the successor to the legendary Jim Boeheim back in 2015.
However, Hopkins took on a new challenge in 2017, becoming the head coach at Washington, a position he held until 2024. During his time there, he led the Huskies to a 118-106 record and earned two Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards, making a memorable NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019.
If Hopkins joins Siena, he'll face the task of managing a team in transition, but his proven track record suggests he's more than capable of steering the Saints to new heights.