Hopkins Addresses His UW Job Security, Appears Ready for Inevitable
In his final weekly news conference, University of Washington basketball coach Mike Hopkins almost seemed to be expecting the question.
On Tuesday, a day after schools freely began firing coaches — including his UW predecessor Lorenzo Romar, at Pepperdine — Hopkins was asked about the growing speculation surrounding his job.
On Tuesday, Hopkins didn't try to dodge the sensitive subject. He gave a straight-up answer that acknowledged the possibilities.
Yes, he's heard that people are talking about him. Yes, the Huskies have underachieved this season. No, he's totally sure what's coming. Or else he didn't feel it was the time to deal with that.
"I love the University of Washington," Hopkins said. "People have been great to me, great to my family. You guys have been great, fair. Time will tell. I love coaching. [I've] had a lot of great moments. Got to keep doing what we do. Got to finish up strong. Whatever happens, happens. I don't know."
For now, the seventh-year Husky coach will take his team to Pullman on Thursday to close out the regular season against Washington State and then to Las Vegas for at least one Pac-12 Tournament game.
After that, a lot of people think he'll become the sixth consecutive Husky basketball coach to get fired.
"Do I hear the noise and what people are talking about? No question, I have kids," Hopkins said. "The biggest thing is it's a great lesson in life, just so your players know, that life isn't perfect. You have to put things in perspective, do the best you can and move forward. This is what you can do. I've tried to do that."
After a pair of 20-win seasons, an NCAA Tournament berth and a pair of Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors, Hopkins has seen his program tail off significantly over the last five years.
In that time, the Huskies have failed to make the postseason and are 69-83, including 16-14 heading into the WSU game.
Hopkins also has the added obstacle of working for a new athletic director in Troy Dannen, who didn't hire him and likely wants more success out of Husky basketball. The 54-year-old coach appears ready for the inevitable.
He then seemed to compare the decision that could be forthcoming about him to what he does as coach.
"You never know," Hopkins said. "With [athletic directors], or being a leader in anything, you have to make tough decisions that might not be popular. I might play a player, and not play a player, that people think I should be playing. Decisions have to be made in what you think is best. I love coaching. I love coaching this team. I know in terms of record, we've underachieved."
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