Ohio State basketball legend Dennis Hopson is entering the college ranks once again. According to a social media post and press release, Hopson was chosen as the head coach of the new NAIA basketball program at Florida Polytechnic.
The news comes after Hopson had a two-year hiatus from the college game. He most recently led Lourdes (NAIA) in Sylvania, Ohio, from 2019-24. He also was an assistant at Bowling Green and Northwood prior. But Buckeye fans will most remember him for what he did in the Scarlet and Gray.
Prior to this past season, when Bruce Thornton eclipsed him, Hopson held the all-time scoring mark at Ohio State, a mark he held for 39 years. He was the 1987 Big Ten Player of the Year and went on to enjoy a ten-year NBA career, including a spot on the 1991 Chicago Bulls NBA championship team that had a tongue-wagging player named Michael Jordan leading it.
“I think my background means a whole lot to this process, and I will use it to get players to come here,” Hopson said in a press release. “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.”
Florida Polytechnic athletic director Derek Lower also praised the hiring, calling Hopson “the best person to lead us in our inaugural basketball season.”
If you are keeping track, there are now two Buckeye legends who took their talents from Ohio to Florida. Hopson joins former OSU player and assistant coach Brian Hartline, who took the head football coaching job at USF this past offseason.
Perhaps the two will meet for some coffee at Disney or something.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State basketball legend named head coach of new college program
Reporting by Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
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By Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
