Hopper became a player-manager with the Laurel Cardinals in 1929. He played for the Greensboro Patriots in 1930, but did not manage the team. He managed the Scottsdale Cardinals in 1931, and was then hired by the St. Louis Cardinals organization as a player-manager for the Elmira Red Wings. He managed the Greensburg Redwings of the Pennsylvania State Association to the league championship in 1934. After managing the Springfield Cardinals of the Western Association to a second-place finish in 1938, he was promoted to manage the Columbus Red Birds of the South Atlantic League in 1939. He was promoted to manage the Houston Buffaloes of the Texas League in 1942.