Jan 5, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins reacts to a play against the Clemson Tigers during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Clemson won 74-73 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Basketball coaching staff grows as team plans to add former SMU coach Jerry Hobbie as special assistant to the head coach

Washington Basketball head coach Mike Hopkins is finding plenty of work to do for himself and his staff. So much work, in fact, that he’s having trouble getting everything done quickly enough. And there is the rub.

In the face of recruiting demands abroad, and coaching players up to his new scheme at home, he needed help. And so, the Washington Basketball team is expected to hire former SMU coach Jerry Hobbie to fill the role of special assistant to the head coach.

Washington’s Mike Hopkins will hire Jerry Hobbie as special assistant to the head coach, per a source. Hobbie was at SMU last season. — Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 15, 2017

So who is Jerry Hobbie?

Jerry Hobbie finisched seven seasonsn at SMU. And he was the SMU Director of Recruiting. He was an assistant coach in 2015-16 after serving as Special Assistant to the Head Coach (2013-15). He was also the Director of Basketball Operations (2012-13) after an earlier stint as assistant coach (2010-12). But the bottom line is that Jerry Hobbie can recruit.

Great job by Jerry Hobbie for #SMU on the Fernando recruitment. All of SMU’s assistants getting into the fun for the 2016 class. — Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) April 1, 2016

Hobbie Recruiting Lifeboat

And that is an area the Washington Basketball team appears to need help. While there is little publicly available now on Jerry Hobbie on the SMU website, he is still listed on the team directory. Hobbie has been a remarkably effective recruiter for the SMU Mustangs basketball program.

Recruiting needs a jump start. The team is beginning to lag behind in recruiting 2018 players. While that is not a fatal development, it does place unnecessary pressure on the coaching staff and players to deliver a flawless transition to a new scheme.

Jerry Hobbie also brings a great coaching track record on improving foul shots. That is another area of true need to what will likely be a fast paced penetrating Washington Basketball team.