Head Football Coach Chris Petersen brought the concept of “our kind of guys” to Washington. He recruits young men who have the talent, integrity and drive to not only be great football players, but to be great people.
We’ve borrowed that phrase to reflect our commitment to hiring “our kind of coaches.”
“Our coaches know that success isn’t measured solely in wins and losses but in how well they develop their student-athletes as educated, principled citizens ready to make an impact on the world,” explains Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen, who in her first year appointed five new head coaches who are already making a difference where it counts the most — in the lives of student-athletes.
Mike Hopkins
Men’s Basketball
As the heir to the long-time head basketball coach at Syracuse, where he had been an assistant for 22 years, Coach “Hop” had his future all mapped out. Then, Washington came calling.
He says his decision came down to “the three Ps — people, place and potential.” Convinced he’d be working with people whose values aligned with his own, he met generous donors and die-hard fans who proved there was a deep passion for basketball at a world-class university in spectacular Seattle.
The potential was all about the student-athletes.
“If we put these young men first and treat our program like a family, then the wins will come,” he says. “That’s why we coach — to be great role models and help them grow to reach their potential so they can make a difference in the world. I’ve found the perfect place to do that.”
Jody Wynn
Women’s Basketball
Jody Wynn also wasn’t looking for a new job when the UW approached her. After eight successful seasons at Long Beach State, she and her associate head coach — her husband, Derek — were happy in California.
“It only took one day for us to learn that Husky Athletics’ core values, mission and philosophy of developing the holistic student-athlete really fell in line with our own belief system,” she says.
She is quick to praise the impact fans and donors make on Women’s Basketball.
“Giving is important because you need financial support to excel. Your donations make a difference in the lives of student-athletes every day,” Jody says. “But that’s not all. The relationships our young women can build, a door that might open, that can mean the world.”
Elise Ray
Gymnastics
In her first season as head coach of Washington Gymnastics, Elise Ray took the GymDawgs to NCAA Nationals for the first time since 1998. She also was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Yet, she had hesitated when she was offered the head coaching position.
“My favorite part of the job is the relationships I’d built with the student-athletes. I didn’t want that to change because I’d now be in charge,” says Elise, who was a UW assistant coach for six years. “But then Jen said, you can do both. It felt so good to know that I could still hold the relationships with them, talk to them about life, and be their head coach.”
She took the helm and instituted a tougher work ethic, pushing her team to train harder.
“About halfway through the season, it was incredible to see them start to believe me,” Elise remembers. “They were fully committed and the goal of reaching Nationals became very real for all of us.”
Alan Murray
Men’s Golf
Hailing from Ireland and coaching in Alabama, Alan Murray didn’t know much about Washington when the UW came courting. He quickly became impressed with the humility and kindness he found when he arrived here.
“People are modest and understated here, and it’s that way at the University, too. Your work speaks for you here and that is the philosophy that runs through the UW,” Alan says.
He was also impressed with the deep support donors provide to his program — and what that means to the young golfers he coaches.
“When it’s clear that people care about what you do, that’s a huge boost in life for a young person. It makes them more confident,” he explains. “The generosity and support is great here. Our program would never be as good as it is without it.”
Yaz Farooq
Women’s Rowing
How do you top a stellar 10-year stint at Stanford that included winning a national title and being named national coach of the year? You win a national championship and earn the Pac-12 Coach of the Year title in your first year as head coach of UW Women’s Rowing.
Yaz Farooq credits a broad team effort for that impressive feat.
“Our rowers are respected as incredibly hard-working athletes, and the pride our fans take in this sport is a big part of the UW’s identity,” she says. “To be the coach of a program where a University and community celebrate your sport and think not only that it’s worthwhile but that it’s special, it’s a dream job for me.”
