Syracuse University is planning for the future of their men's basketball program when head coach Jim Boeheim's impending retirement comes to pass.
A long-time assistant for the Orange, Mike Hopkins has been named the successor to Boeheim, as school's all-time winningest men's basketball coach plans to retire after the 2017-2018 season.
"For more than 25 years, Mike Hopkins has demonstrated the true meaning of Orange pride and loyalty," Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud said in the school's announcement. "He has contributed so much to the success of the Syracuse basketball program. I know Mike is ready to lead the program into the future and carry forward the success that has occurred under Coach Boeheim."
Like Boeheim, Hopkins played basketball for the Orange and became an assistant on the coaching staff shortly after. But Hopkins played for Boeheim from 1989 to 1993 and has coached under him since 1996.
"I'm honored, humbled and grateful for this special opportunity," Hopkins said in the school's release. "Very few people are afforded the privilege to coach at their alma mater. I want to thank Chancellor Syverud, the Board of Trustees and Jim Boeheim for entrusting me with this great program. Coach Boeheim has created one of the most preeminent college basketball programs in the country, one that is committed to a standard of excellence and consistency."
The NCAA recently handed down sanctions against Boeheim's program that vacated more than 100 of his wins and took away 12 scholarships. The coach will also have to sit out the Orange's first nine ACC games next season, so Hopkins will likely helm the team for that stretch.
The NCAA concluded Boeheim "failed to monitor his program" while players were committing a wide range of impermissible activities. Syracuse had previously self-reported several violations and even imposed sanctions on their own program before the NCAA released its ruling. Syverud previously stated his disagreement with the NCAA over its sanctions.
"Mike has truly earned this honor through his hard work, dedication and commitment to our program for more than 20 years," Boeheim said in the release. "There is no one more ready or prepared to carry on the success of Syracuse basketball than Mike Hopkins."
