White River Valley boys - Departing Coach Mike Hopkins
SWITZ CITY, Ind. -- (Updated 4/24) Good Varsity Club member reports information about the WRV Boys opening. Many that have known Coach Hopkins are simply in disbelief. Simply put, Coach did all that could be asked, and Varsity Clubber is indicating this is a pretty clear red flag situation for any incoming coach to be aware of. One report offers specifics regarding Hopkins coming to WRV with high energy, and a plan. He carried out his plan to improve the program from top to bottom, worked with the younger levels, and all coaches within the program, held Summer camps, open gyms for all levels, as well as Feeder program work. Here’s where it gets dicey. Report alleges the school board is led by an individual who has a son on the team (probably the most athletic and has started since he's been a freshman). Reportedly, said school board member has a wife who is very influential, and appears to be overly involved with sons athletics. There is one alleged encounter after game one of year one, when parent came into Coach's office and let him know that her son shoots 20 to 25 times a game in AAU. Report continues that parent posted several rants on facebook about how to motivate. Long story short, it appears that even though the Principal, Superintendent and Athletic Director reportedly all recommended Coach to be renewed, a parent who wants her son to be the focal point, and not "Coached hard, in a team first, structured environment" allegedly played a large part in convincing board Board not to renew. The reason Coach was given, "he didn't attend enough JH games, didn't work enough on the youth." Will this process repeat itself? Current board gave the guy two seasons, it's a revolving door. More expected but currently HS Science and Eled openings.
