The Florida State Seminoles are on the verge of a significant coaching transition, as longtime head coach Leonard Hamilton steps down after 23 seasons at the helm.
To replace him, the Seminoles have looked at the Sacramento Kings for their man, and it couldn't come at a worse time. This year, the Kings are in the No. 9 seed with a 39-29 record, which is not their best season.
Losing some of their coaching staff right now is not ideal for the franchise. At the moment, the Kings need to all swim in the same direction, given their disappointing record and slim chances of making the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Luke Loucks, a former Florida State player and current Sacramento Kings assistant coach, appears to be the Seminoles' next leader as they look to the future.
Loucks would replace Hamilton, the winningest coach in program history. He leaves behind a legacy of success, including an ACC Tournament title in 2012 and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
This year, the Florida State Seminoles had a challenging season, finishing with a 16-14 overall record and a 7-12 mark in ACC play, placing them No. 11 in the conference standings.
Mar 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Sacramento Kings center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks forward Kai Jones (23) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Former Kings coach lands FSU role
A deal is expected to be finalized soon, marking a homecoming for the 34-year-old coach.
Source: Sacramento Kings assistant and Florida State alum Luke Loucks has emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Leonard Hamilton as Seminoles head coach. Story coming
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) March 7, 2025
Loucks played under Hamilton from 2008 to 2012, during which the Seminoles made four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and captured their only ACC Tournament championship.
In addition to his accolades as a Seminole, he has also built an impressive coaching resume in the NBA, making a name for himself as a rising star on the sidelines.
After starting his coaching career with the Golden State Warriors in 2016, Loucks served as a video coordinator and player development coach, contributing to the team's championship runs in 2017 and 2018.
His time with the Warriors allowed him to work closely with some of the league's greatest players, honing his skills in strategy and player development.
In 2022, Loucks joined the Kings as an assistant coach under Mike Brown, where he played a key role in the team's resurgence as a Western Conference contender.
The Seminoles, who have struggled in recent years, are eager to return to prominence in the ACC, and Loucks' appointment signals a fresh start.
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM.