FSU's Leonard Hamilton to Resign After 23 Seasons as MCBB HC: 'No Regrets'

Florida State men's basketball head coach Leonard Hamilton is stepping down after the 2024-25 campaign, which is his 23rd season at the school.

Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat relayed Hamilton's statement Monday that revealed the 76-year-old will resign.

"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."

He also said, "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."

Henry noted this is the final season of Hamilton's five-year contract extension and that the resignation decision comes after "months of discussion" with the school's leadership.

"Leonard Hamilton's personal character and integrity, and his leadership, set a tremendous standard for all of FSU Athletics," Florida State vice president and director of athletics Michael Alford said. "Few people have been as important in building the positive reputation of Seminole Athletics as he. 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."

Hamilton had previous stops as the head coach of Oklahoma State (four seasons), Miami (10 seasons) and the NBA's Washington Wizards (one season), but he is best known for his accomplishments with the Seminoles.

He started at his current position in the 2002-03 campaign and has a 456-290 overall record with the program. His tenure includes eight NCAA tournament appearances, one ACC regular-season championship and one ACC tournament title.

Hamilton is also the winningest men's basketball coach in Florida State history and ranks fifth all-time in ACC wins behind Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, North Carolina's Roy Williams, North Carolina's Dean Smith and Maryland's Gary Williams.

Those trips to the Big Dance include four Sweet 16 appearances and an appearance in the 2018 Elite Eight. That was tied for the furthest the program advanced since its one Final Four, which happened back in the 1971-72 campaign before it even joined the ACC.

There is no question Hamilton is a Florida State legend, and he was able to accomplish so much at a school that is better known for its football prowess than what it does on the basketball floor.

However, things have been trending in the wrong direction of late.

Florida State missed the last three NCAA tournaments and has lost four games in a row this season to drop to 13-9 overall and 4-7 in ACC play. B/R's Kerry Miller did not include the Seminoles in his latest bracket projection.

What's more, Henry noted six former Florida State players sued Hamilton earlier this season and alleged he did not deliver on his promise to land them each $250,000 in name, image and likeness compensation.