Coach Jeff Hopkins is entering his 13th season at Collierville High School after leading the Dragons to the programs first state title in 2013. This Spring will be his 12th season as the school's Head Baseball coach. After being named the Head Coach of the Diamond Dragons in the summer of 2003, Hopkins made an immediate impact his first full season at the helm of the program leading them to the schools first District Championship in many years and repeated that feat for the next three years in a row advancing to the State Tournament each of those seasons. Hopkins has led the Dragons to seven state tournament appearances, including six Semi-Final finishes and one state title. Under Hopkins guidance, Collierville High School has won seven Sectional Championships (2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013); five Region Championships (2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012) and seven District Titles (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013).
As a result of all the success he has had on the baseball diamond, Coach Hop was resently named the Tennessee AAA Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to the school's first state title. He has been named Regional Coach of the Year five times and Sectional Coach of the Year seven times. In 2006, Hopkins was inducted into the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. Hopkins followed that honor with an even bigger one in January of 2009 with his induction into the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. During the 2011 season Coach Hopkins recorded his 800th win as a Head Coach.
Since arriving at CHS, Hopkins has seen 62 players sign college baseball scholarships, including 27 at the Division I level. Two of his former Dragons are currently playing playing in the big leagues, Drew Pomeranz (Colorado Rockies) and Zack Cozart (Cincinnati Reds). Collectively, he has coached 20 players that have been selected in the MLB Draft, including current two-time MLB All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla of the Atlanta Braves.
A graduate of the University of Memphis, Hopkins was a pitcher on the Tigers' Baseball team, served as Co-Captain and was named Missouri All-Conference Team during his career at Memphis.
Hopkins began his coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Memphis in 1975. Following the season at Memphis, he accepted the Head Coaching position at Sky View Baptist Academy. In 1976, he was hired as the Assistant Coach at Jackson State Community College and two years later was named the schools Head Baseball Coach. He spent the next 11 seasons in Jackson compiling a record of 250-209 (.545) and lead his teams to the Tennessee Junior College State Tournament 3 times. Hopkins was twice named TJCAA Coach of the Year (1979, 1983). Following the 1989 season, he moved on to the school he once played for, the University of Memphis, as the Assistant Baseball Coach. Memphis hired Coach Hopkins three years later as their Head Baseball Coach for the 1991 season.
Coach Hopkins was the Head Coach at the University of Memphis from 1991-2000. He remains third all-time in career wins, compiling a 240-201-1 record over an eight year career. Hopkins was named the Great Midwest Conference "Coach of the Year" during his first two campaigns at the University of Memphis. His 1994 Tigers rewrote the Memphis record books during their NCAA tournament run. The team claimed the top spot in games played (63), at bats (2235), hits (752), RBI's (556), runs scored (595), total bases (1118), walks (348), stolen bases (151) and innings pitched (541).
Coach Hopkins has been happily married to his lovely wife Ginger for 41 years. They have two daughters; Christi and Gina and thoroughly enjoy their three grandchildren Makenzie and twins Sadie and Jack.
High School: Frasier High School, TN
College: University of Memphis, TN
Coach Hopkins’ Coaching Bio:
Year |
School |
Position |
1975 |
University of Memphis |
Graduate Assistant |
1976 |
Skyview Academy |
Head Coach |
1977 -1978 |
Jackson State CC |
Assistant Coach |
1979 - 1987 |
Jackson State CC |
Head Coach |
1988 - 1990 |
University of Memphis |
Assistant Coach |
1991 - 2000 |
University of Memphis |
Head Coach |
2002 |
Olive Branch High School Collierville High School |
Assistant Coach |
2003 - Present |
Collierville High School |
Head Coach |
TENNESSEE
AAA
STATE
CHAMPIONS
2013
TSSAA
State
Tournament
2023
2022
2018
2016
2013
2011
2010
2009
2006
2005
2004
SECTIONAL
CHAMPIONS
2023
2022
2018
2016
2013
2011
2010
2009
2006
2005
2004
REGIONAL
CHAMPIONS
2022
2019
2018
2012
2011
2009
2006
2004
DISTRICT
CHAMPIONS
2022
2019
2018
2015
2013
2012
2010
2006
2005
2004
2003