Mike Hopkins Incredible Hire For Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Mike Hopkins as an assistant coach and head of player development, bringing an experienced voice to their bench. Hopkins, who now joins Willie Green in New Orleans, was a member of Mike Budenholzer’s staff during the previous season.
Hopkins led the Washington Huskies as head coach from 2017 to 2024 before leaving for the NBA. His record was 122-111, and he once led the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament. This strategic hire is seen as a calculated step by the Pelicans to supercharge the development of their young, talented roster.
Mike Hopkins, Syracuse
Hopkins’ tenure as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, from 1995 to 2017, is what made him most famous. Before Washington called, Boeheim had a brief time as his head coach-in-waiting. He will now be a member of the Pelicans’ elite coaching staff, which also includes Jarron Collins, Casey Hill, Aaron Miles, Corey Brewer, Jodie Meeks, and assistant head coach James Borrego.
Mike Hopkins’ Coaching Journey
From 1989 to 1993, Mike Hopkins played guard for Syracuse, where he started his basketball career. He was a perfect fit for coaching because of his perseverance and basketball IQ. He joined the Syracuse staff in 1995, beginning a 22-year career that would solidify his reputation in Orange basketball. Hopkins, Boeheim’s longstanding assistant, was trusted with both defensive and elite recruiting duties. He proved he could manage one of the best college basketball programs during his brief stint as interim head coach in 2015.
Head Coach Of the Washington Huskies
Hopkins took over the men’s basketball program at the University of Washington in 2017. His influence took shape right away. He was awarded Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019. He captained the Huskies to an NCAA Tournament trip and a Pac-12 regular season title. Mike Hopkins is renowned for teaching principles, fostering relationships with players, and using a strict 2-3 zone defense. His player-centered approach fits in well with his new NBA role’s developmental emphasis.
Transition To the NBA
Mike Hopkins briefly served as an assistant with the Phoenix Suns after leaving Washington in 2024, where he gained NBA-level expertise and modified his college tactics for the professional game. In early August 2025, the Pelicans hired Mike Hopkins. He is an essential member of the team’s changing staff because of his official positions as assistant coach and head of player development.
Organizational Connections
Mike Hopkins’ longstanding friendship with Troy Weaver, the general manager of the Pelicans, who also has roots in Syracuse and Washington, D.C., is a noteworthy connection in this selection. This reunion is a sign of mutual trust and a shared vision. Head Coach Willie Green is embarking on a pivotal era to elevate the squad above mediocrity. Hopkins will bring respect to players and contribute complementary abilities, especially in mentorship.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Pelicans’ hire of Mike Hopkins is a strategic move toward long-term player development and organizational expansion, not merely another addition to the coaching staff. Hopkins’s extensive background, track record of success as a mentor, and strong connections to leadership make him a potential key player in the Pelicans’ pursuit of long-term success.
