Washington, Mike Hopkins agree to extension through 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Washington has rewarded coach Mike Hopkins for getting the Huskies back to the NCAA Tournament by giving him a contract extension through the 2025 season.

The ninth-seeded Huskies open the NCAAs on Friday against No. 8 seed Utah State. It’s Washington’s first appearance in the tournament since 2011.

“I’ve always said ‘people, place and potential’ matter and Washington is exactly where I want to be,” Hopkins said in a news release announcing the extension Thursday. “Our program is surrounded by great people and we’ve made some great strides in our first two years here. I’m very excited for the future of Husky basketball and am grateful for the support of the university and our awesome Husky fans.”

Hopkins is 47-21 in his two seasons at Washington and has turned around a program that won nine games the year before he arrived. He’s twice been named the Pac-12 coach of the year and the Huskies ran away with the Pac-12 regular-season title this year.

Terms of the contract were not announced.

“Not only has coach Hopkins made an immediate impact on the on-court success of our men’s basketball program, but he has fully embraced this campus and the entire city of Seattle,” Washington athletic director Jen Cohen said. “I look forward to seeing the difference he continues to make in the lives of our incredible student-athletes and in this incredible city.”