Syracuse Basketball: Jim Boeheim contract extension details, Mike Hopkins update

SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - DECEMBER 27: Acting head coach Mike Hopkins (C) of the Syracuse Orange reacts while sitting on the bench against the Texas Southern Tigers during the second half at the Carrier Dome on December 27, 2015 in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse defeated Texas Southern 80-67.(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)

The contract extension details for Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim have been revealed. It’s time for a Mike Hopkins update in Washington.

With Syracuse University being a private school, we don’t know how much anyone makes. But eventually, the IRS reveals that information.

Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com provided some titillating details including the salary of Syracuse basketball head coach Jim Boeheim from the 2017-18 calendar year:

"“Men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim led the list of the school’s top earners, earning $2.6 million in total compensation in 2017. That included a salary of $2.3 million and a bonus of $50,000. Syracuse made the National Invitation Tournament in 2017.”"

That’s very interesting for two reasons:

  • First off it’s always just cool to see how much money is being doled out.
    • Per Carlson’s report, “Boeheim would rank 35th on USA Today’s current list of highest-paid men’s basketball coaches at high-level programs, sitting between Texas Christian’s Jamie Dixon and Florida’s Mike White.”
  • The other reason that is interesting is that salary is via a new extension he signed when former assistant Mike Hopkins took the job at Washington in the PAC-12.
  • We have two years as a sample size now from that decision, here’s how the two coaches have fared:

    • Jim Boeheim
      • 43-28 overall record.
      • Has made the NCAA tournament in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons since Mike Hopkins has left.
        • 2017-18 resulted in a trip to the Sweet 16 vs Duke.
        • 2018-19 was a one-and-done finish for the Orange vs Baylor.
      • Mike Hopkins
        • 48-22 overall record.
        • Didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament in 2017-18 but did win PAC-12 Coach of the Year honors.
        • Did qualify for the NCAA tournament in 2018-19 and made it to the second round. Also won PAC-12 Coach of the Year honors and won the PAC-12 regular season title.
        • While the records are somewhat of a wash and Boeheim gets the edge for taking his team further in the big dance, the court of public opinion seems to suggest Hopkins will truly be the winner.

          The other important part of being a head coach of a college basketball team is recruiting. Everyone within the Syracuse basketball organization raved about Mike Hopkins’ ability to recruit and that has been evident very early on in his tenure with the Huskies.

          In two short years, Hopkins has turned Washington from a laughing stock (winners of nine games before he got there) to a potential national power with two top-five recruits on his squad heading into the 2019-20 season.

          Did Syracuse make a mistake letting Mike Hopkins go and sticking with Jim Boeheim? Hopkins will be 50 when the 2019-20 season starts. Boeheim is 74 years old. Make sure you vote in our poll above and make your voice heard!