Mike Hopkins face turned ashen when the question was asked and the realization hit. The fired University of Washington basketball coach grimaced, at first unable to speak.
What was next for him, Kim Grinolds of Dawgman.com gently wanted to know?
"Poise, I tell you poise," the now visibly upset Husky leader whispered to his All-Pac-12 forward Keion Brooks Jr., who was next to him.
A long silence followed. Hopkins next touched his nose. He pointed randomly. He nodded his head. Finally tears welled up in his eyes as he broke down for a moment as Brooks patted him on the back, which can be seen in the accompanying video clip.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hopkins bared his soul one last time at a news conference as he sat in front of a room full of media members at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas, having just lost to USC 80-74 and his Husky coaching job all at once.
"I'm emotional," he said. "I didn't want to cry. That's who I am, like it or lump it."
Shortly after the game ended, Hopkins told his players in the locker room that while most of them were going their separate ways, they'd all be friends for life.
For the longest time this season , the personable coach put on a brave face while dealing with an awkward situation — of not having enough victories in a college sport that demands that — while trying to stay his usual positive self.
Hopkins actually was spared the extra-tough criticism that might have come had he been at another place with similar wins and losses. He was so likable, some local media members for the most part acted like nothing negative was happening and avoided any discussion of his tenuous situation. He was like a friend.
In fact, when someone finally asked Hopkins before the Washington State game about the possibility of getting fired, and he answered as best he could — that he had heard people were speculating about his future and knew little else —another reporter quickly changed the subject rather than ask a follow-up question.
In Las Vegas, after the losses had been counted up and the tears had dried, Hopkins thanked everyone that he could, as if accepting an Oscar rather than a pink slip. He was composed again.
"I've been very lucky in my seven years at the University of Washington," Hopkins said. "I've been blessed."
Follow Dan Raley of Inside the Huskies on X — @DanRaley1 or @UWFanNation.
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