Ryan Hopkins Joins DU Men's Soccer Staff
1/11/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
DENVER - Former Wisconsin goalkeeper coach Ryan Hopkins has been named assistant coach for the University of Denver men's soccer program, head coach Bobby Muuss announced today.
"I speak for the entire men's soccer program when I say we are extremely excited to be adding Ryan Hopkins to the Denver Soccer Family," Muuss said. "He has been a part of growing something very special in his time at Cal Poly, and has gained valuable experience with his last year in the Big Ten at Wisconsin. He is a proven winner and a great recruiter. Ryan brings a great work ethic, and is committed to doing things the right way. As a program we talk about 'Building a Tradition', and Ryan is just the guy to help us do that."
Hopkins joins the Pioneers' staff after one season as a goalkeeper coach at Wisconsin, four seasons as an assistant coach at Cal Poly and four seasons at Concordia University (Irvine, Calif.).
In his one-year stint with the Badgers, Hopkins' goalkeepers combined for a 1.08 goals-against average. Wisconsin 'keepers also kept six shutouts on the year, including four in the Badgers' final six matches.
While at Cal Poly, Hopkins coached current Chivas USA goalkeeper Patrick McLain, who is in his second season in the MLS. Hopkins and the Mustangs' staff nailed down a top-40 recruiting class (CollegeSoccerNews.com) in each of his four seasons at Cal Poly, including the No. 12 class in 2012.
Prior to his coaching days, Hopkins was a four-year starting goalkeeper for Concordia (2000-04), where he was twice named an NAIA All-American. Hopkins would go on to coach four years at his alma mater. In 2010, the new Pioneer assistant was inducted into the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame.
"I am extremely thankful to Bobby Muuss for this wonderful opportunity to join his staff," Hopkins said. "Coach Muuss is a proven winner at every stop he has made and I know he does everything in his power to help his student-athletes become successful on and off the field. Just looking at the staff as a whole, I think it is one of the best in the country in terms of recruiting, player development and providing student-athletes with a wonderful college experience.
"The Denver soccer program is on the cusp of doing big things on the national stage in the near future, and I couldn't be more excited to join the program in our pursuit of a national title."
Hopkins replaces Ryan Pflugrad on the Pioneer staff. Pflugrad accepted a job as the head coach of his alma mater, Roanoke, creating the vacancy for Hopkins. The former DU associate head coach served six seasons under Muuss.
"I can't thank Ryan enough for everything he has done for me and this program over the last six years," Muuss said. "I wish him the best of luck with his new head coaching job, and we know he will do great things back at his alma mater."
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