FSU men's basketball to honor Leonard Hamilton against his alma mater UT-Martin
Florida State men’s basketball will celebrate the greatest coach in program history in fitting fashion this season, honoring Leonard Hamilton on a night that brings his career full circle — against his alma mater, UT Martin.
FSU announced plans to recognize Hamilton during the Seminoles’ nonconference matchup with UT Martin, where Hamilton starred as a guard in the late 1960s. The ceremony will highlight his transformative impact on Florida State basketball and his remarkable journey from a small-school standout to one of the most respected coaches in college basketball.
Hamilton, 76, retired in March after 22 seasons at Florida State. He left as the winningest coach in school history, compiling more than 400 victories in Tallahassee and leading the Seminoles to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, three ACC regular-season titles, and an Elite Eight run in 2019-20 before the pandemic canceled the postseason.
Before his Hall of Fame–caliber tenure at FSU, Hamilton’s basketball life began at UT Martin, then known as the University of Tennessee at Martin Branch. He played there from 1967 to 1969 and later became the first Black head coach in program history at Oklahoma State and in the Big Eight at Kansas State, before moving on to Miami and eventually Florida State.
The honor against UT Martin underscores how deeply Hamilton’s story is rooted in both programs. For Florida State, it’s a chance to publicly thank the coach who elevated the Seminoles from ACC afterthought to perennial contender, producing NBA talent and building a culture defined by toughness, length, and unselfish play. For UT Martin, it is a moment to see one of its most distinguished alumni recognized on a national stage.
Details of the in-game ceremony, including potential video tributes and appearances by former players, are expected to be finalized closer to tipoff. What is certain: when Florida State meets UT Martin, the spotlight will belong to Leonard Hamilton, a coach whose legacy connects a small town in Tennessee to one of the ACC’s proudest programs.
FSU announced plans to recognize Hamilton during the Seminoles’ nonconference matchup with UT Martin, where Hamilton starred as a guard in the late 1960s. The ceremony will highlight his transformative impact on Florida State basketball and his remarkable journey from a small-school standout to one of the most respected coaches in college basketball.
Hamilton, 76, retired in March after 22 seasons at Florida State. He left as the winningest coach in school history, compiling more than 400 victories in Tallahassee and leading the Seminoles to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, three ACC regular-season titles, and an Elite Eight run in 2019-20 before the pandemic canceled the postseason.
Before his Hall of Fame–caliber tenure at FSU, Hamilton’s basketball life began at UT Martin, then known as the University of Tennessee at Martin Branch. He played there from 1967 to 1969 and later became the first Black head coach in program history at Oklahoma State and in the Big Eight at Kansas State, before moving on to Miami and eventually Florida State.
The honor against UT Martin underscores how deeply Hamilton’s story is rooted in both programs. For Florida State, it’s a chance to publicly thank the coach who elevated the Seminoles from ACC afterthought to perennial contender, producing NBA talent and building a culture defined by toughness, length, and unselfish play. For UT Martin, it is a moment to see one of its most distinguished alumni recognized on a national stage.
Details of the in-game ceremony, including potential video tributes and appearances by former players, are expected to be finalized closer to tipoff. What is certain: when Florida State meets UT Martin, the spotlight will belong to Leonard Hamilton, a coach whose legacy connects a small town in Tennessee to one of the ACC’s proudest programs.
