AJ Hopke previously served a year as Defensive Analyst for East Carolina University, an NCAA Div. I FBS school in 2022. He also served two years as Defensive Coordinator at St. Andrews University (N.C.) from 2020-22, after being promoted from defensive assistant from 2017-2020. Prior to that he spent four years as an assistant coach at Lenoir Rhyne University from 2013-2017.
While a defensive analyst with the Pirates, he was responsible for compiling weekly scouting reports, and worked directly with the cornerbacks in drills during practice and on opponents in film study. In game responsibilities, he charted formations and opponent offensive tendencies to help call defensive plays.
At St. Andrews, he worked with his defensive coaching staff on all aspects of the defense, including play calling, game plans, scouting reports and practice schedules. Hopke also served as the strength and conditioning coach for three years. A role in which he helped develop two All-Americans and 19 All-Conference players.Â
Hopke and his wife, Amanda, have a daughter, Eleanor, and the couple is expecting their second daughter in July.Â
