Sports | The Seattle Times

How quirky is UW coach Mike Hopkins? Let his players tell you

Washington Head Coach Mike Hopkins smiles as he talks with Assistant Coach Cameron Dollar as the Huskies practice the day before they play Utah State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Thursday March 21, 2019. (Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times)

The second year coach is as likely to plant a kiss on a player's forehead as he is to punt a basketball. It's a strange approach, but it's working.

March Madness 2019

Greg Thybulle, Matisse’s dad, cheers from the stands as the University of Washington Huskies take on the Utah State Aggies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Friday March 22, 2019. 209709

Greg Thybulle – father of Matisse – might be UW’s biggest fan. He’s definitely the loudest.

Washington guard Matisse Thybulle takes the assist from forward Nahziah Carter to lay in a dunk against Utah State guard Sam Merrill in the second half as the University of Washington Huskies take on the Utah State Aggies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Friday March 22, 2019. 209709

Impressions after UW’s 78-61 NCAA tournament win: Balanced attack leads Huskies past Utah State

Gonzaga’s Brandon Clarke shoots around Pepperdine’s Jade’ Smith during the first half of an NCAA semifinal college basketball game at the West Coast Conference tournament, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) NVJL106 NVJL106

After being overlooked for years, Brandon Clarke has blossomed into a star for Gonzaga

UC Irvine guard Max Hazzard (2) celebrates with forward Collin Welp, right, after Welp makes a shot and gets a foul called on Cal State Fullerton on the play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game for the Big West men’s tournament championship in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, March 16, 2019. UC Irvine won 92-64. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) ANA128

Son of former Husky great, UC Irvine’s Collin Welp is blazing his own path in NCAA tournament

Noah Dickerson hasn’t piled up the stats, but he’s helped Huskies pile up the wins

The Washington big man has struggled to accept his new role, but now that he has his team has a shot at the Sweet 16.

After announcing his retirement to Seattle media in a small press conference inside the Mariner clubhouse, Ichiro returned to the Tokyo Dome turf to take a victory lap and salute the fans, very few of whom had left in the meantime. The Seattle Mariners played the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their Opening Day series at the Tokyo Dome in Japan Thursday, March 21, 2019. 209667

Larry Stone

Ichiro, always a master of timing, gets it right again with his retirement

Ichiro got his moment on Thursday, in the wee hours back home in Seattle, as few ballplayers in any sport ever have. Japan showered him with love, while peers who admire him unconditionally did the same and Mariners’ players lined up to greet him as he trotted off the field.

Ichiro Suzuki | Seattle Mariners OF | 2001-12, 2018-19

Yusei Kikuchi thanks teammate Ichiro Suzuki for getting him out of the 4th inning with his catch of a ball in the corner for the final out. The Seattle Mariners played the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their Opening Day series at the Tokyo Dome in Japan Thursday, March 21, 2019. 209667

Emotions overcome Yusei Kikuchi as his first game with the Mariners is also Ichiro’s last WATCH

Ken Griffey Jr. is in the Mariner dugout to congratulate Ichiro as he is pulled from the game Thursday. The Seattle Mariners played the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their Opening Day series at the Tokyo Dome in Japan Thursday, March 21, 2019. 209667

Mariners teammates — and Ken Griffey Jr. — revel in pageantry of Ichiro’s farewell in Japan WATCH

As Ichiro announces his retirement to reporters, his teammates begin to funnel into the batting cage where the press conference is being held to hear him speak. The Seattle Mariners played the Oakland Athletics in the second game of their Opening Day series at the Tokyo Dome in Japan Thursday, March 21, 2019. 209667

‘Forever grateful’: Reaction to Ichiro’s retirement from around baseball, Seattle sports world

Farewell, 51: Remembering Ichiro’s iconic career through its best moments — and best photographs VIEW

Mike Hopkins waits at mid court for his four seniors Saturday night. The University of Washington men’s basketball team played the University of Oregon in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, WA. 209531

The Huskies have their coach of the future in Mike Hopkins. But they’re ‘just getting started.’

In two years, Mike Hopkins has helped guide the Washington Huskies from a 2-16 Pac-12 record to a conference championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011.

Assistant coach Will Conroy pumps up the crowd as the Huskies go on a run in the 2nd half against the Beavner. The Oregon State Beavers played the Washington Huskies in NCAA Men’s basketball Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, WA. 209530

‘My story is a lot like his’: How Will Conroy joined forces with Mike Hopkins to turn around UW hoops

Fifteen years after helping lead the program's resurrection during the early days of the Lorenzo Romar era, former player and current assistant coach Will Conroy is an integral part of the Huskies’ turnaround during Mike Hopkins’ second season as Romar’s successor. VIEW