NBA
Mike Hopkins reaches agreement with the Phoenix Suns
The 54-year-old former University of Washington coach has reportedly reached an agreement with the Suns to form part of Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff.
Mike Budenholzer’s coaching team at the Phoenix Suns continues to stake shape as it emerged on Tuesday that Mike Hopkins has reached an agreement with the franchise, ESPN reports. The 54-year-old former University of Washington coach will be brought on board as Budenholzer’s assistant, working alongside other backroom staff members David Fizdale and Chad Forcier.
Mike Hopkins’ college career
Born in San Mateo, California, Hopkins’ coaching career began at his alma mater Syracuse in 1995. He signed a six-year deal with the University of Washington in March 2017, and guided the team to 21–13 in his debut season, as well as picking up the first of two back-to-back Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards. He led the Huskies to a NCAA Division I conference title in 2018–19. That turned out to be the highlight of his time in Washington, where he remained until last season with the team finishing sixth in the Pac-12 standings.
From now, he will be working under Budenholzer, who replaced Frank Vogel on 11 May. Budenholzer signed a five-year deal with the Suns believed to be worth in excess of $50 million. The Suns will be hoping the new coaching team can improve on last season in which the team made it to the playoffs only to be ceremoniously dumped out in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-0).
Phoenix have not had much luck hiring coaches in recent years - Budenholzer is the third in the past three seasons, following Monty Williams, who was fired after the 2022-23 season and Vogel, who was handed his notice last month.