By Ralph D. Russo, Brendan Marks and Matt Baker
Florida State has hired Sacramento Kings assistant coach and FSU alumnus Luke Loucks as its next men’s basketball coach, the program announced.
The Athletic confirmed Friday that FSU was targeting Loucks to replace Leonard Hamilton, one of the winningest coaches in ACC history. On Sunday, the move became official.
“Luke will bring a unique combination of qualities to our program, and I’m excited to begin the next chapter of our basketball history under his leadership,” athletic director Michael Alford said in a statement. “Throughout basketball at both the professional and collegiate levels, Luke has earned a reputation as one of the rising stars in coaching. Having been a key part of some of the best of what FSU basketball has been as a player, he also brings proven ability to develop players at the highest level of the sport.”
It’s official ✍️ Luke Loucks is the next Head Coach of Florida State Basketball 🍢🏀
Full Story: pic.twitter.com/WB81mdKGNu— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) March 9, 2025
Loucks played for Hamilton as a Florida State guard from 2008 to 2012. The Seminoles made the NCAA Tournament in each of those four seasons and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2011. Florida State also won the ACC tournament in 2012.
The 34-year-old Clearwater, Fla., native bounced around professionally as a player before winning two NBA titles as a Golden State Warriors staffer. He also spent time working for the Phoenix Suns. Loucks has never coached collegiately or been a head coach at any level. One of the key factors in the hiring process was Florida State’s willingness to commit the resources necessary to compete at a high level.
“I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the head coach for the Florida State men’s basketball team,” Loucks said in a statement Sunday. “FSU has a rich basketball tradition, and I look forward to building on the legacy of our previous coaches, especially Coach Hamilton.
“I’d like to thank the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors for providing me with a strong coaching foundation. I’m eager to build our coaching staff with the best and brightest basketball coaches in America. They will have characteristics that support and push me while helping me build and develop a competitive team year after year.”
Hamilton, 76, announced last month that he would retire at the end of this season (his 23rd as Florida State’s coach). His 459 wins with the Seminoles are the most in Florida State history and fifth-most in the ACC behind only Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, North Carolina’s Dean Smith and Roy Williams and Maryland’s Gary Williams.
Hamilton’s Seminoles went 122-41 from 2017 to 2021 and had a Final Four contender in March 2020 before the COVID-19 shutdown. But his program had stalled and finished the latest regular season 17-14 overall (8-12 in the ACC).
Duke assistant Chris Carrawell was among the other candidates in consideration for the job.
(Photo: Darren Yamashita / Imagn Images)
