ARTICLE
Few coaches can match a resume that includes winning an NBA championship alongside Michael Jordan and leading a college program to sustained success on the national stage. Dennis Hopson has done both. Now, Florida Polytechnic University has named the NBA champion and longtime coach as the inaugural head coach of its Men’s Basketball program, adding a leader whose career spans the highest levels of the sport as the University continues building Florida Poly Athletics. Hopson brings decades of experience as both a player and a coach, highlighted by an NBA championship with the iconic 1991 Chicago Bulls team. A former first-round NBA Draft pick, Hopson also played with the New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings and professional teams overseas, before transitioning into an accomplished coaching career. Before joining Florida Poly, Hopson coached multiple teams, including most recently at Lourdes University, where the Gray Wolves won nearly 100 games in five seasons, made three straight national tournament appearances and achieved a 99% student-athlete graduation rate. “I think my background means a whole lot to this process and I will use it to get players to come here,” he said. “I used to be them, and I know the importance of going to a school that’s in a great situation with a great location and sound academics that also has a strong basketball program.” Hopson said he wants Florida Poly Basketball to reflect six core values: family, integrity, balance, respect, attitude and leadership. And he wants his players to learn that basketball is about much more than competition. “School work and other things can be stressful, so we want to make this to where it’s not about the sport; it’s about what the sport can do for you,” Hopson said. “They’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re going to learn a lot of life lessons through the game of basketball because you’re going to live a lot longer than you play the game.” Derek Lower, Florida Poly’s athletic director, said Hopson is a perfect fit for the University. “Coach Hopson is the best person to lead us in our inaugural basketball season,” Lower said. “Dennis knows how to build winning programs that last, and his professionalism, leadership and experience make his role as a coach and mentor to student-athletes invaluable.” For Hopson, success starts with finding the right players and making sure they can excel on campus before setting foot on the court. “We want high-character people,” he said. “We want to make sure we get people who we don’t have to worry about at night; people who can get it done in the classroom.” Recruiting is already underway, and Hopson said Florida Poly’s first-ever men’s basketball team is close to filling its 14-member roster. “I want everyone to know how super excited I am to be here,” he said. “I think we’ve got something special.” For the most recent University news, visit Florida Poly News. About Florida Poly Athletics: Florida Poly Athletics is a new collegiate program debuting this fall to elevate student engagement and foster school spirit at Florida Polytechnic University. The program features eight sports, including baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s soccer, basketball and cross-country. Seeking membership in the NAIA and Sun Conference, the program is dedicated to recruiting high-achieving STEM student-athletes who excel both in their sport and academically. About Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No.1 public college in the South for five years in a row and No. 3 best value public school in the South by U.S. News and World Report. It is a top 30 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation for five years in a row. Florida Poly is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Florida Poly’s iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by
Few coaches can match a resume that includes winning an NBA championship alongside Michael Jordan and leading a college program to sustained success on the national stage. Dennis Hopson has done both.
Now, Florida Polytechnic University has named the NBA champion and longtime coach as the inaugural head coach of its Men’s Basketball program, adding a leader whose career spans the highest levels of the sport as the University continues building Florida Poly Athletics.
Hopson brings decades of experience as both a player and a coach, highlighted by an NBA championship with the iconic 1991 Chicago Bulls team. A former first-round NBA Draft pick, Hopson also played with the New Jersey Nets, Sacramento Kings and professional teams overseas, before transitioning into an accomplished coaching career.
Before joining Florida Poly, Hopson coached multiple teams, including most recently at Lourdes University, where the Gray Wolves won nearly 100 games in five seasons, made three straight national tournament appearances and achieved a 99% student-athlete graduation rate.
“I think my background means a whole lot to this process and I will use it to get players to come here,” he said. “I used to be them, and I know the importance of going to a school that’s in a great situation with a great location and sound academics that also has a strong basketball program.”
Hopson said he wants Florida Poly Basketball to reflect six core values: family, integrity, balance, respect, attitude and leadership. And he wants his players to learn that basketball is about much more than competition.
“School work and other things can be stressful, so we want to make this to where it’s not about the sport; it’s about what the sport can do for you,” Hopson said. “They’re going to have a lot of fun and we’re going to learn a lot of life lessons through the game of basketball because you’re going to live a lot longer than you play the game.”
Derek Lower, Florida Poly’s athletic director, said Hopson is a perfect fit for the University.
“Coach Hopson is the best person to lead us in our inaugural basketball season,” Lower said. “Dennis knows how to build winning programs that last, and his professionalism, leadership and experience make his role as a coach and mentor to student-athletes invaluable.”
For Hopson, success starts with finding the right players and making sure they can excel on campus before setting foot on the court.
“We want high-character people,” he said. “We want to make sure we get people who we don’t have to worry about at night; people who can get it done in the classroom.”
Recruiting is already underway, and Hopson said Florida Poly’s first-ever men’s basketball team is close to filling its 14-member roster.
“I want everyone to know how super excited I am to be here,” he said. “I think we’ve got something special.”
For the most recent University news, visit Florida Poly News.
About Florida Poly Athletics: Florida Poly Athletics is a new collegiate program debuting this fall to elevate student engagement and foster school spirit at Florida Polytechnic University. The program features eight sports, including baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s soccer, basketball and cross-country. Seeking membership in the NAIA and Sun Conference, the program is dedicated to recruiting high-achieving STEM student-athletes who excel both in their sport and academically.
About Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No.1 public college in the South for five years in a row and No. 3 best value public school in the South by U.S. News and World Report. It is a top 30 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation for five years in a row. Florida Poly is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of Florida. It is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Florida Poly’s iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by