FSU's Leonard Hamilton releases statement on decision to retire

Hamilton will leave as the winningest head coach in FSU basketball history.

Dec 3, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton looks on against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Florida State University men's basketball head coach Leonard Hamilton announced Monday that he is resigning as head coach effective at the end of the current season. FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford announced that the University will immediately begin a national search for Hamilton's successor.

Hamilton is the winningest head coach in FSU history and the fifth-winningest head coach in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Seminoles are 13-9 overall this season, including a 4-7 record in ACC play. As head coach at FSU, Hamilton has compiled an overall record of 434-290 including a mark of 196-186 in ACC regular season games. He currently ranks 10th on the NCAA’s list of winningest active Division I coaches. Hamilton has led Florida State to 16 postseason appearances and 12 20-win seasons.

“I am deeply thankful for the tremendous support of our fans, alumni, and everyone associated with Florida State throughout my time here,” Hamilton said. “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. I have been blessed beyond words for the opportunity and the experience we’ve had here.

Jan 25, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton points during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images / Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

“My family and I truly love this place, this institution, and its people. I'm very fortunate to be able to have given this job my all with no regrets. Every head coach inherits a legacy and is obligated to leave the job better than they inherited it. I'm very proud of what we have been able to accomplish here over the last 23 seasons. We were a consistent contender, and we created success for our players during their time here. So many of them have gone on to be successful in life. I hope that it will be remembered as my legacy. I look forward to working with our administration during this transition and being as helpful as possible through this process."

"Coach 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. FSU’s stature as one of the leading brands in college sports has been possible, in part, to his leadership of our men’s basketball program. He steadily developed a culture of excellence that reflects his personal values: commitment to academic success, competitive success, community service, leadership, and ongoing personal excellence. The success of the men who have been part of our basketball program is proof of that legacy."

“Leonard Hamilton is a beacon of class and integrity whose leadership serves as an indelible example that competitive excellence, academic achievement and community service are attainable at a leading public institution,” said FSU President Dr. Richard McCullough. “Coach Hamilton’s legacy extends far beyond Tallahassee and college basketball. He is one of the most respected and beloved ambassadors of FSU across the nation and in his profession.”

Hamilton has earned three national Coach of the Year honors and was named the conference Coach of the Year five times. He is the only person to earn multiple Coach of the Year honors in both the ACC and the Big East. In 37 seasons as a head coach at Oklahoma State, Miami (Fla.) and FSU, he earned 22 postseason bids, leading his teams to five Sweet 16 appearances, and three conference championships, including FSU’s first ACC Tournament title in 2012 and FSU’s first regular season ACC title in the 2019-20 season, and has an overall record of 634-500 (.559 winning percentage).

Florida State University Head Coach Leonard Hamilton at the game with Clemson during the first half at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C Saturday, January 11, 2025. / Ken Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At FSU, Hamilton has developed 19 NBA Draft selections, including nine first-round picks led by No. 4 overall selections Patrick Williams in 2020 and Scottie Barnes in 2021. He has coached 24 All-ACC selections, 13 ACC All-Defensive Team selections, four ACC Sixth Man of the Year recipients and two ACC Defensive Players of the Year.

With an equal focus on academic and athletic achievement, nearly 97 percent of Hamilton’s players who completed their eligibility earned their degrees and 20 student-athletes were named to the All-ACC Academic Team. His team produced a program-record 3.16 grade-point average in the spring of 2023 highlighted by 10 individual GPAs of at least 3.0.

“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. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on what he has accomplished here as we identify the next leader of our program.”

Courtesy of Florida State Athletics.

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