The Washington Huskies basketball program is reportedly finalizing a deal to make former Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins the program’s new head coach.
After a season that the Washington Huskies would like to forget, the basketball program is now looking to start a new era in Seattle with the hiring of a new head basketball coach.
Former Huskies head coach Lorenzo Romar was fired earlier this week after a stint with the program that started back in 2002. However, after a 9-22 season this year, Washington athletic director Jennifer Cohen decided to part ways with Romar.
Now, the Huskies have reportedly already found their next head coach in former Syracuse Orange assistant Mike Hopkins. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello reported the story on Sunday morning, reporting that the two sides are finalizing a six-year deal.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel also confirmed the news on Twitter.
Source confirms ESPN report that Mike Hopkins finalizing a deal to be next coach at Washington. Will be 6 years, source says.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 19, 2017
Hopkins served under Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim since 1996, and was expected to eventually replace the legendary coach when he was named the head coach in-waiting back in 2015. However, it seems that Hopkins was ready to take over as the head coach for a program sooner instead of later, and that’s likely why he decided to take over for the Huskies.
Washington fans are hoping that this will be the start of a new era for the Huskies. The program hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since the 2010-11 season, and they haven’t made it past the Sweet 16 since the 1952-53 season.
The pressure will be on for Hopkins, but the Huskies fans are excited to have a new head coach.