Washington to part ways with Mike Hopkins, pay $3.1 million buyout

Washington has informed Mike Hopkins he will not return as the Huskies’ head coach next season, the program announced. ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported he will continue to coach through next week’s Pac-12 Tournament.

Hopkins had one year remaining on his contract and will receive a nearly $3.1 million buyout as a result of the decision, Thamel reported. He has a 116-104 overall record with Washington, but hasn’t made an NCAA Tournament since 2019. The Huskies also went 58-71 in conference play under Hopkins.

“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,” UW athletics director Troy Dannen said in a statement. “Everyone at the university is grateful for his service, his commitment to the experience of our student-athletes and his leadership within the department. We wish Mike, Trisha and their children the very best in the future.”

Hopkins also released a statement on the decision, expressing his gratitude for his time in Seattle.

“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.”

UW was Hopkins’ first full-time head coaching opportunity after previously serving as an assistant coach at Syracuse from 1995-2017. There was speculation he’d be the eventual replacement for Jim Boeheim upon his retirement, but former athletic director Daryl Gross clarified that by saying his comments were taken out of context.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Utah State head coach Danny Sprinkle is the early favorite to succeed Mike Hopkins in Seattle.

Washington defeated Washington State in the regular season finale Thursday night to finish with a 17-14 overall record and a 9-11 mark in Pac-12 play. The Huskies will now wait to see how things shake out to find out their seeding in the conference tournament.

Whatever happens next at Washington, it will coincide with the Huskies’ move to the Big Ten. UW – along with Oregon, USC and UCLA – will all be leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, taking the conference to 18 teams. Dannen said that move is important as UW embarks on a coaching search.

“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.”