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via Syracuse.com
Jim Boeheim‚Äôs longtime apprentice could be on his way to Beantown. Mike Hopkins sat down with Boston College over the weekend to interview for the Eagles‚Äô head coaching vacancy for men’s basketball.
Hopkins has spent 19 seasons on the Hill under Coach Boeheim, and Syracuse clearly loves having him around.¬†UCLA and USC battled for Hopkins last spring, but he decided to stay with SU. Considering he‚Äôs a SoCal native, can‚Äôt really blame Hopkins for listening there. Those offers simply jumped out at him and he had to listen. And don’t forget Marquette also has Hopkins on its radar.¬†ESPN reported the Golden Eagles are interested in Hop¬†to fill Buzz Williams’ departure to Virginia Tech.
With Boston College, you have an ACC team that plays in one of, if not the, best sports market in the country. A city showered in success from its pro sports teams, lately Boston hasn’t particularly shined brightly in college basketball. BC finished 8-24 (4-14 in the ACC) under Steve Donahue, whose¬†lone highlight this past season was a win up at the Carrier Dome to halt SU‚Äôs pursuit of perfection.
Hopkins could add¬†phenomenal recruiting connections, as you can sort through a full list of players from the New England area¬†that have suited up in Orange. Names include Demetris Nichols and Michael Carter-Williams of St. Andrew’s School in Barrington, R.I., and incoming freshman Kaleb Joseph, a Nashua, New Hampshire resident and student at Cushing (Mass.) Academy. Hopkins‚Äô consistent recruiting pitches demonstrate how he‚Äôs gone above and beyond from a good assistant coach to one of the best in the college game.
Boeheim is on record from last year that “he’ll (Hopkins) be coaching here soon.” Many argue when JB leaves, Hop gets a shot at the big gig, no questions asked. But on the other hand, why should he wait? The writing is on the wall. If Boeheim keeps cranking out 30 win seasons in the next year or two, who’s not to say The Per’fesser sticks around for five more years or so. He may not receive the same attention as he gets at Syracuse than the possibility of Boston, but head coaching is head coaching.
Patience is the key here. Hopkins should consider there’s a great possibility of the keys being handed over to him once Boeheim hangs ‘em up. It comes down to how long he’s willing to wait. Unless an offer that can be denied ends up on his plate, Hops time on the Hill isn’t over yet. A Boston College position that would include loads of redirection and rebuilding ain’t so eye-popping. Stick around, Hop.
Posted by: Brendan Glasheen
