Washington hires Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins as new head coach

Mike Hopkins is currently an assistant coach at Syracuse.

Washington hired Syracuse assistant Mike Hopkins as its new head men's basketball coach, the school announced Sunday. 

Hopkins, who played collegiately at Syracuse, has served on the Orange basketball staff for 21 years. He filled the role of interim coach for Syracuse when Jim Boeheim was suspended during the 2015-16 season. 

"The University of Washington is such a unique place, with a world-class university, an exciting basketball history and unbelievable fan support," Hopkins said in a release. "Together, I believe we can build something very special in Seattle, and I can't wait to get started."

Last week, the Huskies fired coach Lorenzo Romar after the team finished 9-22 this season. Romar had coached Washington since 2002. 

Washington last made the tournament in 2011.