Coach Dennis Hopkins has joined Coach Travis Lewis's staff at NCAA Division II Central State for the 2024-2025 season. Hopkins received his coaching start at Springfield Christian Academy in 1996 as the boys' junior varsity coach for one season before guiding the varsity from 1997-2000. He rebuilt a struggling program that improved each season finishing the 1999-2000 season with a record of 23-3 winning the conference regular season title, conference tournament title, and Michigan Association of Christian Schools state title. Coach Hopkins transitioned to become the men's basketball administrative assistant at Oakland University under Coach Greg Kampe. During that time Coach Hopkins earned a Masters of Sports Science with a focus in coaching from the United States Sports Academy.

In 2002 Coach hopkins served as the head coach of the Oakland Christian JV boys' program. In 2004 Coach Hopkins took over the Lancer varsity program during a time of rebuilding. r The Oakland Christian program improved each season. The team improved in 2007-2008 to a team-best record under Coach Hopkins 24-2. They went undefeated in the MIAC league play, winning the MHSAA district trophy, and winning only the second MHSAA regional trophy in school history. Coach Hopkins was named Dream Team Coach of the Year and MIAC Coach of the Year in 2008. The Lancers went on the win three more MHSAA District Championships and were defeated at the buzzer in 2011 in the MHSAA Regional Championship. While Coach Hopkins was in charge of the program, the Lancers won three MIAC conference championships ('08, '09, '11), seven District titles ('08, '09, '10, '11, '17, '18, '19) and one Regional title ('08). Coach Hopkins was named 2008 Oakland Country Dream Team Coach of the Year, as well as, MIAC Coach of the Year five times during his tenure at Oakland Christian.

Coach Hopkins had the opportunity to coach the girls' program, as well as, the boys for the 2018-2019 season where the Lady Lancers won the MIAC Conference Championship in the Red Division, as well as, coaching his daughter Danielle who was named conference MVP;  Coach Hopkins was named MIAC Coach of the Year.

Coach Hopkins loves giving back to the game of basketball. He is currently the Assistant Executive Director and an Executive Board Member serving as the Annual Coaches Clinic Co-Director for the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. He has held the positions of President, Past President, and Region 2 Director. Coach Hopkins has helped with the 3-point shoot-out at the state finals and was director of the 3-point shoot-out when BCAM held an annual All-Star Game. Coach Hopkins also enjoys the different camps he has run during the offseason. "Teaching the game is one of my greatest enjoyments." For his service to the game Coach Hopkins was awarded the Thomas Hursey Distinguished Service Award by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan. 

Coach Hopkins attended Northland International University where he played collegiate soccer as a goalkeeper. In 1993 his team won the NCCAA National Championship in which he was named 1st Team All-American and Defensive Player of the Year setting a record for the most shut-outs in a season with 20. After returning from a medical leave from the team Coach Hopkins was named 1st Team All-American in 1995 as a senior at NIU.

Coach Hopkins is married to Wendy, and they have three children - Danielle, Katie, and TJ who all have played on or are members of a collegiate athletic team.

Career Head Coaching Record: 350-215 = 61.9%