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FSU Basketball Legend Leonard Hamilton Announces Retirement After Historic Season

Longtime FSU basketball coach Leonard Hamilton stepping down at season's end

Florida State basketball coach Leonard Hamilton is set to step down at the close of the current season, marking the end of a significant era for the Seminoles.

This announcement comes amid ongoing legal challenges, as Hamilton faces lawsuits from several former players who allege he did not fulfill commitments related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. His decision was revealed during a team meeting on Monday.

At 76 years old, Hamilton has been a pivotal figure in FSU basketball for 23 seasons, leading the team to an ACC Tournament championship in 2012. That year, the Seminoles achieved a remarkable feat by defeating Miami, Duke, and North Carolina consecutively. They also clinched the 2019-20 regular-season conference title, a season cut short by the pandemic.

Currently, FSU is struggling, having lost four consecutive games, including three on the road. With a record of 13-9, they are gearing up for a home game against Notre Dame on Tuesday. Hamilton is in the last year of a contract that provides him with an annual salary of $2.25 million.

Hamilton’s tenure includes notable Sweet 16 appearances in 2018, 2019, and 2021. The 2019-20 team was particularly acclaimed, with ESPN analyst Dick Vitale even authoring a book on the belief that the Seminoles could have won the national championship that year.

However, FSU has faced challenges since their Sweet 16 run in March 2021, missing both the NCAA Tournament and the NIT. Over the last four seasons, the Seminoles have posted a 56-62 record, including a difficult 9-23 season in 2022-23 plagued by injuries.

In his final stretch, Hamilton will guide FSU through the last nine regular-season games and the ACC Tournament.

The lawsuits filed by six players from the 2023-24 roster highlight ongoing concerns regarding NIL commitments, reflecting broader issues in college athletics.

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Dave Gallo is a leading sports bettor and handicapper since 1999, known for his impressive 10-0 winning streaks. A journalism, advertising, and media studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he combines his betting expertise with academic knowledge. Gallo's strong work ethic and passion for sports fuel his ongoing success and scholarly pursuits.

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