Danny Sprinkle hired at Washington head coach
Danny Sprinkle has been announced as the new head coach at Washington ahead of the program’s move to the Big Ten. Sprinkle has coached in the last three NCAA Tournaments, twice with alma mater Montana State and in 2024 during his lone season at Utah State.
“Simply put, Coach Sprinkle is a winner,” said AD Erin O’Connell. “He won as a high school player, as a collegiate student-athlete, as an assistant coach, and then at both stops as a head coach, including the recent regular season conference championship at Utah State. But beyond his coaching acumen is his ability to connect with student-athletes, develop them into outstanding young men and basketball players and embrace the community around him. Coach is exactly what our program needs at this moment in time and we are thrilled to have him take the reigns of our men’s basketball program.”
Sprinkle went 28-7 this past season with Utah State, who hired him less than a year ago after a stellar four-year run at Montana State. He led the Bobcats to 81 wins overall, with a Big Sky title in 2022 and Big Sky Tournament crowns in both 2022 and 2023 to earn automatic NCAA bids. His Aggies’ team in 2024 earned an at-large bid and won their opening round match-up with TCU before getting eliminated by 1-seed Purdue on Sunday.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to President Cauce and the athletic department leadership for entrusting me to lead the men’s basketball program at this world-class institution,” said Sprinkle. “It was going to take something special for me to leave Logan, and the University of Washington was it. The university means a great deal to our family and I am excited to return to my home state. With a strong commitment to excellence and incredible fan support, we will recruit exceptional young men who will take pride in wearing the purple and gold, who will win championships and who will leave UW with an impressive degree. I am excited to get started and to be a part of such a special place.”
Washington parted ways with former head coach Mike Hopkins after seven seasons and just one NCAA Tournament appearance (2019). This season, the Huskies went 17-15 and tied for 6th in the Pac-12. The program will – alongside Oregon, UCLA and USC – join the Big Ten ahead of the 2024-25 season.
credit to Washington Athletics for the image
