Harrisburg football coach Steve Hopkins announces his retirement after 46-year career
Steve Hopkins has announced his retirement after a four-decade career where he coached nine different programs, and raised a Harrisburg Bulldogs program out of its infancy.
Harrisburg High School, where Hopkins spent the final four years of his 46-year coaching career, announced his retirement on Monday.
When asked about his decision to retire, Hopkins told the Tribune "It’s time."
"I’m 66 years old and I’ve enjoyed 46 years of interacting with great kids and coaches," Hopkins told the Tribune. "It’s been a blessing. It’s time for me to focus on being a good husband, father and grandfather."
The school announced Hopkins' decision Monday afternoon after he had informed his players.
“Coach Hopkins came to Harrisburg and revived our program when we were really at a crossroads,” Harrisburg director of athletics Ryan Richardson told the Tribune. ”He not only was able to get our kids but also our community to believe and love the game of football at levels most had never seen before.”
Hopkins' retirement follows a successful 2022 season where the Bulldogs won the Lewis & Clark Conference with a pristine 6-0 conference record. Hopkins accumulated a 29-15 record at Harrisburg, taking over a program that finished with a 1-9 record in 2018 before his arrival.
"Coach Hopkins' teams have played have competed at a high level because of his influence," Harrisburg wrote in the announcement. "His impact on the players, the school and the community has been tremendous."
Hopkins first began coaching in 1977, leading the Warrensburg program. He spent the most time coaching Basehor-Linwood, from 2004-2013, and at Blue Springs, from 1983 to 1998. He also spent time at Harrisonville, Odessa, Leavenworth, Boonville and Southern Boone.
Coming to Harrisburg, Hopkins took over a program that had existed for just six years. In those previous six seasons, Harrisburg won six total games. In Hopkins' first year, the Bulldogs won six games.
Harrisburg won a program-record eight games in 2021, starting out the year 6-0. The Bulldogs also won district playoff games in Hopkins' first three seasons; Harrisburg did not win a district game prior to Hopkins' arrival.
“Coach Hopkins is a great football coach, but an even better man, husband, father, and grand father,” Richardson said. ”His impact in our school and community will be felt for years to come and sincerely thank him for his 4 years of service to our student athletes.”
Hopkins' final season at Harrisburg not only featured a conference title, but it set even more program firsts. The Bulldogs beat Marceline on Sept. 9 to earn Harrisburg's first win over Marceline in 10 tries.
Hopkins also oversaw the emergence of quarterback Tanner Lanes, who authored the Bulldogs' offensive records book, and handed the reins to Trace Combs, who is inline to challenge some of those records.
"Harrisburg has been a great experience to finish and I wish them and all my other stops success," Hopkins said.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Harrisburg football coach Steve Hopkins announces his retirement
