Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange interim head coach Mike Hopkins gestures from the bench against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps former Syracuse basketball assistant Mike Hopkins won’t be staying on the west coast too long after all. Included are the details of his contract.

We just said goodbye to Syracuse basketball Assistant Head Coach in waiting Mike Hopkins this week. The funny thing about goodbyes is that they’re never really forever.

Mike Hopkins was introduced as the new head honcho of the University of Washington. Included in that introduction, was the details of his new contract.

Here are the details via a Syracuse.com report:

“Mike Hopkins’ contract to lead the University of Washington basketball program is worth $12.3 million over six years, according to details released by the school on Wednesday. The contract does include a de-escalating buyout but no specific mention of Syracuse. It would cost Hopkins $2 million to leave Washington during his first year. That number drops annually, down to $500,000 if he leaves during the last year of his deal.”

Welcome to the @Coach_Hopkins era. Take a look at scenes from Montlake today. >> https://t.co/BOZ6hnn9z6 pic.twitter.com/lJDNCBzF1H — Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) March 23, 2017

It’s an interesting dynamic. This was a theme as soon as the news was revealed that Hopkins was on his way out.

We all know that the Syracuse basketball team has a treasure trove of money. The reported figures on Jim Boeheim’s new contract, which by the way doesn’t get revealed to the public, is for another four plus years according to Adam Zagoria.

So this could work out perfectly. Hopkins is 47 years old, despite his experience/age, he never has been a head coach. So now he can build up his resume and get his feet wet (beyond a random 9 game tryout) and learn trial by fire.

This will help him make his own mistakes and learn from them, in essence making him a better coach. While for Syracuse, it provides head coach Jim Boeheim to leave when he wants to leave. Which after 41 years he has more than earned that opportunity to go off on his own terms.

Perhaps, this is where the speculation/conspiracy theories come out, the moons will align. When Boeheim is ready to walk away, perhaps Hopkins will be seasoned enough to take on the SU job. Everyone can believe what they want, but here is a possibility. Do you agree? Disagree? Share your thoughts below!

Boy Green and Ty Butler discuss all of these answers in our brand new segment, “Inside The Twitterbag” via Sports War Radio.

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