Syracuse.com: Marquette interested in Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins

[Tugg Speedman]

Thankfully its Hopkins and not Bernie Fine!

Marquette interested in Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins, according to ESPN report


http://www.syracuse.com/orangebasketball/index.ssf/2014/03/marquette_interested_in_syracuse_assistant_mike_hopkins_according_to_espn_report.html

Last year Southern California considered Syracuse assistant coach Mike Hopkins for its coaching vacancy. This year Marquette is going to take a hard look at Syracuse's head coach in waiting.

According to an ESPN report, Marquette has Hopkins on its list of possible names to replace Buzz Williams, who left the school to take a job at Virginia Tech over the weekend.

In an article focused on the possibility of Ben Howland taking the job, Hopkins was listed as a candidate, along with University of Wisconsin-Green Bay head coach Brian Wardle and Dayton's Archie Miller. Howland is the former head coach of Pittsburgh and UCLA. Howland's resume, which includes multiple Final Four appearances, would make him the presumptive favorite, but ESPN reported that he has not been offered the job.

ESPN reported that Marquette has just begun the process of reaching out to candidates.

Hopkins, who hired an agent in December, is considered to be the near-certain replacement for Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim when SU's long-time coach elects to retire and, at the team's banquet earlier this month, Boeheim called Hopkins "the best assistant coach in college basketball."

He repeated that praise last year when he was a finalist for the USC job, but the Trojans selected Andy Enfield, whose Florida Gulf Coast team had made a long NCAA tournament run.

"Mike was, by far, the best candidate they had," Boeheim said at the time. "Far and away, the best candidate they had.''

While Hopkins has deflected interest from many programs — including St. Bonaventure and Charlotte — in the past to stay at Syracuse, Marquette seems like a desirable destination.

Its affiliation with the Big East would allow Hopkins to take advantage of his Northeast recruiting ties and, most importantly, its eventual head coach would have a good opportunity to succeed.

Williams developed a consistent winner in recent years, and Marquette appears plenty capable of continuing to contend.

Hopkins is a former player at Syracuse and has served as one of Boeheim's assistants since 1995. He has also worked with USA Basketball.

[Golden Avalanche]

Wrote this in another thread:


One interesting note to me: immediately after Buzz walking, Goodman trumpeted Mike Hopkins as an option. To my knowledge, Goodman remains the only media member saying Hopkins is a legitimate candidate. In fact, on this board, Hopkins is mentioned only in passing and not considered realistic yet people yesterday allowed themselves to believe Shaka Smart was a realistic candidate. Odd.

[MUfan12]

Don't trust anything Goodman writes about this. MU isn't talking to anyone, let alone Buzz's spokeswriter.

[MDMU04]

How long until Boeheim retires and Hopkins bolts back to Syracuse? Not sure how I feel about this one.

[Golden Avalanche]

Don't trust anything Goodman writes about this. MU isn't talking to anyone, let alone Buzz's spokeswriter.

Agreed. Which is why I think it's odd Goodman continues to report it (along with Wardle's name). Have to think he's getting the intel from the (hopeful)candidate and not the school which also leads me to believe there is legitimate interest in the job from some established coaches. Much different than last time around.

[Ahoya06]

How long until Boeheim retires and Hopkins bolts back to Syracuse? Not sure how I feel about this one.

This would be my biggest concern about Hopkins. I think that would almost be a given.

[GooooMarquette]

How long until Boeheim retires and Hopkins bolts back to Syracuse? Not sure how I feel about this one.

Yep.

Pass.

[Coleman]

Agree with everyone else here. We would have him until Boeheim retires. Boeheim is 69. That would be at most, what, 6 or 7 years, maybe less?

Why hire a guy who will view you as a warmup to the job he has been looking forward to his entire career. This would be a terrible move.


Why is the administration complicating this? They need to lock down Howland ASAP.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Howland is a former BE guy as well. I can see him staying for the long haul for the next 10-15 years until he retires. As stressful as MU is, its nothing like the wringer that is UCLA.

[NavinRJohnson]

Why is the administration complicating this? They need to lock down Howland ASAP.

Agree on Howland, but seems logical to take a look at the guy...he's got his finger prints all over multiple FFs/national championship, an incredible record, countless guys in the NBA. Would be irsponsible to not at least talk to him if he is interested.

[MUfan12]

Why is the administration complicating this? They need to lock down Howland ASAP.

Not so sure about that. They need to do their due diligence with the targets they identified. Howland can be had today or a week from now.

[Tugg Speedman]

Not so sure about that. They need to do their due diligence with the targets they identified. Howland can be had today or a week from now.

Not true, Wake is looking and interested (not sure he is) and do you know what other jobs will open up in the next 48 hours that might change the game?

[MUfan12]

Not true, Wake is looking and interested (not sure he is) and do you know what other jobs will open up in the next 48 hours that might change the game?

Unless Oklahoma State opens up, MU is far and away the best opening available. I would think he'd wait a bit if he wants it.

[Coleman]

Not so sure about that. They need to do their due diligence with the targets they identified. Howland can be had today or a week from now.

Not if Wake gets him first. If he waits too long on MU he could be afraid of missing out on any of the big opportunities, including Wake. This window is not open forever. I hope there is some sense of urgency on our part.

[NavinRJohnson]

Unless Oklahoma State opens up, MU is far and away the best opening available. I would think he'd wait a bit if he wants it.

My opinion is that I'd OK Sate were going to be opening up, Buzz would probably still be at Marquette. Have to believe he'd be high on their list.

[🏀]

No coach is signing anywhere until the Marquette job is filled. Howland will wait.

The Marquette job is the one that knocks.

[Golden Avalanche]

No coach is signing anywhere until the Marquette job is filled. Howland will wait.

The Marquette job is the one that knocks.

Yeah, bitch!

[Tugg Speedman]

Unless Oklahoma State opens up, MU is far and away the best opening available. I would think he'd wait a bit if he wants it.

On Friday Howland said he was interested in MU.  What he thinks about OK State now is what he knew on Friday.  No change.  If he thought OK State was better and could open up, he would not publicly express interest in MU (he could have called Cords directly, but instead called Katz to whip up excitement).

If he u-turns to Ok State if they open up, the Ok State could fear he will u-turn on them if yet another job (that Howland thinks is better) opens tomorrow.

[Coleman]

No coach is signing anywhere until the Marquette job is filled. Howland will wait.

The Marquette job is the one that knocks.

I agree its the best job out there but you are forgetting the human element of this. What if MU drags its feet for a week or so, Howland gets nervous, thinks he is #2 or #3 on the list as some are saying here, loss avoidance takes over, and he jumps to Wake, so he assures he lands someone respectable.

Then Shaka says no. Maybe Gregg Marshall isn't ready to leave Wichita State yet. And MU is down to the 2nd tier of candidates.

MU is definitely the best open job, I am not denying that. But that doesn't mean we will dictate exactly how this goes down. We need to act decisively. We might have a pocket Ace, but we don't hold all of the cards.

[Tugg Speedman]

Don't forget this is not Howland's first Rodeo.  Maybe he agreed to come and writing his contract will take a day two.  Howland is smart enough to know that now, before the announcement, is when he gets what he wants.  Much harder to ask for it after the presser.

Patience

[Class71]

How long until Boeheim retires and Hopkins bolts back to Syracuse? Not sure how I feel about this one.

Agree only logical he would leave. Think stability will be to high on MU's list for this to happen.

[esotericmindguy]

I agree its the best job out there but you are forgetting the human element of this. What if MU drags its feet for a week or so, Howland gets nervous, thinks he is #2 or #3 on the list as some are saying here, loss avoidance takes over, and he jumps to Wake, so he assures he lands someone respectable.

Then Shaka says no. Maybe Gregg Marshall isn't ready to leave Wichita State yet. And MU is down to the 2nd tier of candidates.

MU is definitely the best open job, I am not denying that. But that doesn't mean we will dictate exactly how this goes down. We need to act decisively. We might have a pocket Ace, but we don't hold all of the cards.

Totally agree. If Howland wants it hire him, Shaka and Marshall are going to be tough to get. Maybe they wait for a BCS conference to come calling.

[🏀]

I agree its the best job out there but you are forgetting the human element of this. What if MU drags its feet for a week or so, Howland gets nervous, thinks he is #2 or #3 on the list as some are saying here, loss avoidance takes over, and he jumps to Wake, so he assures he lands someone respectable.

Then Shaka says no. Maybe Gregg Marshall isn't ready to leave Wichita State yet. And MU is down to the 2nd tier of candidates.

MU is definitely the best open job, I am not denying that. But that doesn't mean we will dictate exactly how this goes down. We need to act decisively. We might have a pocket Ace, but we don't hold all of the cards.

You need to cut down on the caffeine. This search will not be rushed by Howland.

[Eldon]

No coach is signing anywhere until the Marquette job is filled. Howland will wait.

The Marquette job is the one that knocks.

Love it!!!

OK State better than the Marquette job?!? 

You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me.

[TVDirector]

"This year Marquette is going to take a hard look at Syracuse's head coach in waiting."

no thanks.