Former Ohio State basketball legend Dennis Hopson has been tapped to lead the inaugural NAIA basketball team at Florida Polytechnic University.
A championship pedigree meets collegiate ambition
Hopson, who held Ohio State’s all‑time scoring record for nearly four decades, enjoyed a 10‑year NBA career that culminated with a championship ring on the 1991 Chicago Bulls.
His coaching résumé includes stints at Lourdes University, as well as assistant roles at Bowling Green State University and Northwood University, giving him a blend of head‑coach experience and program‑building expertise.
Speaking about the new role, Hopson said he is eager to leverage his playing and coaching background to draw talented athletes to a school that boasts strong academic programs and a growing basketball culture.
Athletic director Derek Lower praised the appointment, calling Hopson the ideal candidate to steer the program’s first season and to help establish a competitive foundation in the NAIA.
Hopson will also work alongside Brian Hartline, a former Ohio State player and assistant coach who recently accepted a head‑coaching position at the University of South Florida, adding a familiar face to the new staff.