Ohio State Icon Dennis Hopson Appointed Head Coach of Florida Polytechnic’s New Basketball Program

Former Ohio State basketball star Dennis Hopson is making a return to collegiate coaching. He has been appointed as the head coach for the newly established NAIA basketball team at Florida Polytechnic University, as announced through a social media update and an official press release.

This marks Hopson's return to the college basketball scene following a two-year break. Before this, he served as the head coach at Lourdes University (NAIA) from 2019 to 2024 and has also held assistant coaching positions at Bowling Green and Northwood. However, he remains best remembered by Buckeye supporters for his impressive tenure at Ohio State.

Hopson previously held the record for the all-time scoring leader at Ohio State for 39 years until Bruce Thornton surpassed him last season. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1987 and went on to have a successful ten-year career in the NBA, notably contributing to the 1991 Chicago Bulls championship team that featured the legendary Michael Jordan.

In a press release, Hopson expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I think my background means a whole lot to this process, and I will use it to get players to come here. 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’s athletic director, Derek Lower, echoed this sentiment, praising Hopson as “the best person to lead us in our inaugural basketball season.” His hiring adds to the growing list of Ohio State alumni making waves in Florida, joining former OSU player and assistant coach Brian Hartline, who recently became the head football coach at the University of South Florida.