FSU Basketball Coach Leonard Hamilton Announces Resignation After 23 Seasons

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Leonard Hamilton, the all-time winningest men’s basketball coach in Florida State University history, announced Monday he will resign at the end of the 2023-24 season. The 76-year-old coach, who has led the Seminoles for 23 seasons, made the decision after months of discussions with FSU leadership.

“I am deeply thankful for the tremendous support of our fans, alumni, and everyone associated with Florida State throughout my time here,” Hamilton said in a statement released by the university. “I am proud of the quality of the young men that it was my privilege to lead, for their faith in this program and in their belief in the philosophy that we tried to instill in them over the years.”

Hamilton’s resignation comes after a challenging season for the Seminoles, who are 13-9 overall and 4-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The team has lost four consecutive games, including a heartbreaking 77-76 defeat after squandering an eight-point lead in the final minute.

During his tenure, Hamilton compiled a 434-290 record, making him the winningest coach in FSU history. He led the Seminoles to 16 postseason appearances, 12 20-win seasons, and the program’s first ACC Championship in 2012. Under his leadership, FSU also reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 three times (2011, 2019, 2021) and the Elite Eight once (2018).

FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford praised Hamilton’s legacy. “Leonard Hamilton’s personal character and integrity, and his leadership, set a tremendous standard for all of FSU Athletics,” Alford said. “Few people have been as important in building the positive reputation of Seminole Athletics as he.”

Hamilton, who earned $2.25 million annually plus bonuses, has been a trailblazer in college basketball. He was the first Black player at Tennessee-Martin and the SEC’s first Black assistant coach when hired by Kentucky in 1974. He also coached the Washington Wizards during the 2000-01 season under Michael Jordan.

Beyond basketball, Hamilton emphasized the importance of academics and personal development. Ninety-seven percent of his players who stayed four years at FSU graduated, and his team achieved a program-record 3.16 GPA in the spring of 2023.

FSU will immediately begin a national search for Hamilton’s successor. “I’m excited for the future of men’s basketball at Florida State,” Alford said. “Thanks to Coach Hamilton’s excellent stewardship and leadership, it has been proven that Florida State can be a contender in the ACC and nationally.”