Leonard Hamilton era officially ends as FSU Basketball is excluded from NIT Tournament

The torch has now been passed from Leonard Hamilton to Luke Loucks.

Austin Veazey | Mar 17, 2025

Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton gives a thumbs up to the crowd as he walks onto the court for warmups. The Florida State Seminoles lead the Southern Methodist Mustangs 33-32 at the half on Saturday, March 8, 2025. / Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Florida State Seminoles

The Leonard Hamilton era is officially over at Florida State after 23 years. After falling to Syracuse in the opening round of the ACC Tournament last week, it seemed the season was over with the team and players posting season recaps on social media, but they were still eligible for the NIT Tournament.

The NIT Bracket was revealed on Sunday night and the Florida State Seminoles were nowhere to be found. They were seen on some NIT bracketologies in the last few weeks, but they seem to want to start the Luke Loucks era as soon as possible.

Florida State’s new head basketball coach Luke Loucks introduces himself, shares his beliefs and coaching style during a press conference Monday, March 10, 2025. / Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Coach Hamilton ends his Florida State tenure with a 490-296 overall record, and he is one of just four coaches in ACC history with 200+ ACC regular season wins, along with Mike Krzyzewski, Dean Smith, and Roy Williams. The late-2010s could be remembered as the golden age of Florida State Basketball, as the teams were consistently great, but COVID-19 canceling the 2020 NCAA Tournament ruined his best chance at a Final Four and national championship, one of the few blemishes of his illustrious and trail-blazing career.

Florida State introduced Luke Loucks as the successor to Coach Hamilton on the Sunday and Monday before the ACC Tournament, and he was in attendance for Hamilton's final game in Charlotte. With the transfer portal officially opening on March 24th and Loucks wanting to assemble his coaching staff, it makes sense to turn the page to the next chapter of the program.

Coach Loucks said in his introductory press conference he wouldn't comment (or, essentially, announce official hirings) on a new coaching staff until Florida State's season was over out of respect for the remaining staff. With the season over and about a week until the portal opens, it gives him some time to finalize his staff and put together a cohesive plan.

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Basketball throughout the season

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok