TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Veteran Florida State basketball coach Leonard Hamilton has announced he will step down at the conclusion of the current season. His decision comes amid a lawsuit filed by six former players who claim he did not fulfill promises related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Hamilton made his announcement on Monday following a team meeting.
In a statement, Hamilton reflected on his career, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead the program, stating, “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.” He highlighted the competitive nature of the program during his tenure and expressed pride in the successes of his players beyond their time at FSU.
At 76, Hamilton becomes the third head coach in NCAA Division I to announce his departure this season, joining Virginia’s Tony Bennett, who stepped down before the season commenced, and Miami’s Jim Larrañaga, who left his position in late December. Hamilton holds the distinction of being the 10th winningest active coach in NCAA history and has led teams at both the University of Miami and the NBA’s Washington Wizards before beginning his tenure at Florida State in 2002. Under his leadership, the Seminoles made 16 postseason appearances and secured 12 seasons with at least 20 victories.
Notably, Hamilton guided Florida State to an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament title in 2012, achieving victories over Miami, Duke, and North Carolina in consecutive days. The Seminoles also celebrated their 2019-20 regular season conference title before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted postseason opportunities.
Currently, FSU’s record stands at 13-9, having lost four consecutive games, including three on the road, with a matchup against Notre Dame on the horizon. Hamilton’s contract, worth $2.25 million annually, is in its final year.
During his coaching tenure, Hamilton led Florida State to series of Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament in 2018, 2019, and 2021. The 2019-20 team was acclaimed for its potential, with ESPN analyst Dick Vitale publishing a book focusing on the belief that they could have secured the national championship without the pandemic’s disruption.
However, the past two seasons have presented challenges, as the Seminoles missed both the NCAA and NIT tournaments, resulting in a 56-62 record across four seasons, marred by an injury-plagued 9-23 record in 2022-23. Hamilton will complete the final nine regular-season games and the ACC Tournament this season.
While dealing with on-court performance issues and adapting to changes like the transfer portal, Hamilton has successfully graduated nearly all four-year players throughout his 20-plus years leading FSU basketball. Yet, the ongoing lawsuit has gained significant attention in recent months. The former players claim Hamilton failed to secure promised NIL compensation of $250,000 for each of them.
The plaintiffs—Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, and Jalen Warley—filed their lawsuit in Leon County Circuit Court at the end of December, alleging that Hamilton assured them the funds would be sourced from his “business partners.” They reportedly walked out of a practice last season due to unpaid NIL promises and considered boycotting a game against Duke in February 2023, although they ultimately played, losing 76-67, despite assurances from Hamilton that they would be compensated, which did not materialize, according to court documents.
FSU athletic director Michael Alford praised Hamilton’s character and influence, stating, “Coach Hamilton’s personal character and integrity, and his leadership, set a tremendous standard for all of FSU Athletics. Few people have been as important in building the positive reputation of Seminole Athletics.” Dr. Richard McCullough, president of Florida State, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Hamilton’s significant contributions and stating, “His 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.”
