There’s no doubt that Leonard Hamilton is Florida State’s most successful coach. The three-time National Coach of the Year award winner has led the Seminoles, to win more than 20 games in 12 of his 21 seasons, while also making 16 postseason appearances. Leonard made history as the first coach to guide Florida State to nine consecutive postseason berths, including NCAA Tournament runs in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

The Seminoles have achieved great success under Leonard and they continue to flourish under his coaching even this season Hamilton’s Florida State Seminoles have been playing well ranking 16th in the ACC with a 9-4 win-lose streak as of December 30. The coach is on a five-year extension through the 2024-25 season and is earning a hefty at his time over. Here’s everything you need to know about FSU’s veteran coach.

Leonard Hamilton’s journey to Florida State’s pinnacle

James Leonard Hamilton was born on August 4, 1948. As a player, he played basketball between 1966-71, as a two-year letterman for Gaston Community College and a Two-year letterman for the University of Tennessee-Martin. His first coaching experience dates back to 1971.

Leonard was a Grad. assistant for Austin Peay State from 1971-73, before becoming an assistant coach in 1973-74. Under his assistance, the Governors won the OVC Championship and played in the NCAA Tournament in 1973. Leonard’s strong sense of winning was seen in his early days of coaching.

Before taking the helm at Florida State, Hamilton experienced his time as head coach of the Washington Wizards in 2001, Oklahoma State University from 1987 to 1990, and the University of Miami from 1991 to 2000. Finally, on March 19, 2002, Leonard became the program’s seventh head coach.

Ever since that, the Veteran has made Florida his home. He has become the winningest coach in Florida State history, with an incredible 428 victories under his belt, ranking as the fifth all-time winningest coach in ACC history.

On January 7, 2021, Leonard won his 600th overall game with Florida State against Georgia Tech. Before 2021, Hamilton’s contract expired, but due to the coronavirus pandemic and financial constraints in Florida State’s athletic department, both sides agreed to finalize a new deal.

Florida State men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton secured a five-year extension through the 2024-2025 season, earning $2.25 million annually, with additional bonuses. Hamilton’s base salary stayed the same as his previous contract, but his bonus structure allowed him to earn over $2 million more.

He earns $150,000 for winning the ACC regular season, $200,000 for making the NCAA Tournament, and an extra $50,000 for securing a top-4 seed. As of 2024, Leonard is entitled to a net worth of $15 million.

“Leonard Hamilton has done a brilliant job at Florida State,” said the Duke Basketball Report, but what exactly has he achieved?

Hamilton’s historic success and achievements at Florida State

Hamilton earned his second ACC Coach of the Year award in 2012 after leading the Seminoles to a standout season, following a perfect 3-0 run in the ACC Tournament, Florida State secured 15 ACC wins. That season, the Seminoles were unstoppable as they spent most of their time at the top of the ACC standings.

This led Florida to make a consecutive fourth-time appearance in the NCAA tournament. Hamilton guided the Seminoles to their first ACC basketball championship in school history. He made NCAA Tournament appearances regular phenomena for the program. And under his leadership, the Seminoles became invincible.

In 2018, Florida State made a historic run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, marking their first appearance there under Hamilton and only the third in school history. Florida finished the season with a 23-12 record, including a 9-9 in ACC play. Florida State became one of just two ACC teams to reach the Elite Eight and took down three teams seeded higher than them in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2019, Hamilton led the Seminoles to a school-record 29 wins. That team also made a major impact, defeating six nationally ranked opponents, reaching the ACC Tournament Championship game, and being only the second time in school history to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons.

The Seminoles wrapped up ACC play with a 16-4 record, setting a school record for the most ACC wins in a season. They finished the 2020 season ranked No. 4 in the AP poll, marking the highest final national ranking in school history and for the third time in his career, Hamilton was named ACC Coach of the Year.

Leonard Hamilton’s remarkable career at Florida State has made him one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history despite facing many ups and downs, his leadership has transformed the Seminoles into a powerhouse As he continues to lead Florida State into the future, Hamilton’s legacy as the program’s most successful coach is undeniable.