Hopkins' dad is a retired coach. Jerry Hopkins spent time at Texas A&I - where he was twice named Lone Star Conference coach of the year - and Sam Houston State. Cody followed in his footsteps as soon as he could walk, tailing him around the court during practice.
The younger Hopkins picked up his dad's coaching sense and a lot of skill with the basketball.
Hopkins played collegiate ball at Northern Oklahoma junior college, Centenary and Northeastern State. Two ACL injuries contributed to Hopkins transferring to three different schools in four years.
Hopkins graduated with a degree in health and human performance and a minor in psychology. After getting his diploma, he immediately went into coaching, spending last season at Angelo State University. Even as Hopkins climbs up the coaching ladder, he still relies on guidance from his dad.
"I'll discuss all kinds of things with my dad," Hopkins said. "From recruiting, to scouting, to practicing, everything. He's a great person to help me with that."
Hopkins looks to parents for advice in life and coaching, but there is another person who is close to his heart - his sister, Hayley. Hayley is a "special needs sister" but she possesses the same work ethic as her older brother, graduating from Madisonville High school in 2006.
Hayley, 20, is working on her life skills in hopes of getting a job.
"She is very special to me. She fights a different battle than we do," Hopkins said.
The two talk on the phone at least two or three times per week, but when they spend time together their relationship is about as normal as any sibling rivalry.
"We fight just like any other brother and sister," Hopkins said. "We argue about the remote control, we argue about the computer. It's weird to say, but it's special because it's a very normal aspect of a brother, sister relationship. I love her dearly."
With a strong family behind him, Hopkins knows his life on the move may finally have stopped for awhile. In the last eight years, Hopkins has packed his bags for a different home seven times. Now at Indian Hills, Hopkins realizes he is learning from one of the best.
"I can't tell you the amount of things that I've learned, since I've been here, from Coach Kidder," Hopkins said. "I owe him, I'm indebted to him. He's somebody that I'm very, very fortunate to be working for. It's a situation I'm blessed to be in because of him. I'm at Indian Hills because of Coach Kidder.
"You need to know that I don't want to move from here. I got a lot of criticism in the beginning because people think junior college assistant coaches are only there for one year. That's not the case, I want to be here."
Kidder's hard-nosed coaching style and dedication to his job is rubbing off on Hopkins. It's not uncommon for Hopkins to spend 12 or more hours at the Hellyer Center a day. Besides on-court coaching, Hopkins' duties also include recruiting, academic monitoring, scouting, game preparation and skill development.
Hopkins' ascension up the coaching ranks is bolstered by an impressive resume. Besides his job at Indian Hills, Hopkins helps with Team Texas, the No. 2 under 18 AAU team in the country last year. This past summer, Hopkins was a guest coach at the Kobe Bryant Skills Academy.
Believe or not, Hopkins does enjoy doing a couple of other things besides basketball when he gets free time, which isn't often. He is an avid golfer, although the long Iowa winter isn't conducive to keeping his game sharp. The Texan is anxious for the weather to warm back up.
"I do prefer the 75 degree weather, like I'm sure everyone else," he said. "I'll just look forward to when the sun comes out."
In the meantime, Hopkins is enjoying coaching the young Warriors squad.
"I have an extreme passion for coaching," he said. "I wouldn't trade this for anything."
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