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Head coach Mike Hopkins to depart Washington following seven seasons

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Mike Hopkins will not return as head coach at Washington after seven seasons

Washington Huskies’ head coach, Mike Hopkins, will not return next season after a disappointing performance that only included one NCAA Tournament appearance in his seven years at the helm. The decision was announced by the school on Friday, with Hopkins’ tenure set to conclude at the end of the current season.

Hopkins, who had one year left on his contract, will be owed $3.1 million as part of his buyout. Despite leading the program with integrity, Hopkins struggled to bring Washington back to the elite level of the Pac-12 conference. The Huskies, who are 17-14 overall this season, finished 9-11 in Pac-12 play.

The 54-year-old coach, who was previously an assistant at Syracuse, started off strong at Washington with a 21-13 record in his first season. However, his success was largely attributed to players recruited by the previous coach, Lorenzo Romar. Hopkins’ struggles to build his own program led to his downfall, as the team failed to meet expectations over the past five seasons.

Washington Athletic Director, Troy Dannen, expressed gratitude for Hopkins’ service but acknowledged the need for a change. As the Huskies prepare to move to the Big Ten Conference, finding a new coach to lead the program will be crucial. Dannen assured that they are looking for a leader who can uphold the institution’s high expectations for academic, social, and competitive success.

Despite the challenges ahead, the transition to the Big Ten conference could make the job more appealing to potential candidates. Washington’s final placement in the conference standings and the seed for the upcoming Pac-12 tournament will be determined after the last conference games on Saturday.

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