North Carolina A&T director of track and field Allen Johnson announced the hiring of Aniis Hopkins on October 25, 2023, as the program's jumps and combined events coach.
Hopkins comes to Aggieland from UNLV. During her time there, she achieved remarkable results, such as guiding Rosa Santana to a shot put distance of 59-feet, 2-inches at the 2023 NCAA West Preliminary Round, earning her a spot in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where she secured a third-place finish at 60-feet, 3 ¼-inches. In addition, under her coaching, Alia Scott excelled in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, achieving an impressive time of 59.13 seconds, among numerous other accomplishments.
Before her role at UNLV, Hopkins made significant contributions at Long Island University, initially as an assistant coach and subsequently as an interim head coach. LIU had impressive achievements during Hopkins' tenure there, including Jahsira Dunbar setting a school record in the triple jump (52-feet, 2 3/4 inches, and Stephanie Esogenwune achieving a new personal best of 40-feet, 11-inches in the triple jump.
Hopkins brings a wealth of experience, having served as an assistant coach at Florida State University from 2016-19. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in coaching 22 All-Americans in both outdoor and indoor track and field, in addition to mentoring nine ACC champions. Her coaching prowess contributed significantly to the Seminoles' men's and women's teams, who collectively secured six ACC team championships during her time.
Hopkins served as an assistant track and field coach at Winter Springs High School before her collegiate coaching days. She oversaw the breaking of 20 school records and the development of nationally ranked student-athletes in hurdles and jumps.
An accomplished athlete, Hopkins graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2008, earning all-conference honors in the long jump and 60H.
