Florida State has turned to one of its own to lead the men’s basketball program into a new era, hiring former FSU guard Luke Loucks as head coach.
“I’m excited to announce that Luke Loucks has accepted our offer to become the next head men’s basketball coach at Florida State,” Alford said. “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. 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.”
Loucks, who played at Florida State from 2009 to 2012 under legendary coach Leonard Hamilton, returns to Tallahassee with a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the program.
“Luke was an exceptional Seminole player who played a key role in leading Florida State to its first ACC Championship. I’m very proud to see him return as head coach of a program he helped elevate to such great heights. Luke and Stevi embody what it means to be a Seminole — wearing the Garnet and Gold isn’t just part of their past; it’s part of who they are. They are family, and it’s special to have a Florida State basketball coach who truly understands that. I also want to commend Director of Athletics Michael Alford and Deputy Director of Athletics Doug Walker for conducting a thoughtful and thorough search process, resulting in an excellent choice to lead the Florida State program into its next chapter.” Leonard Hamilton, Florida State Head Coach 2002-2025
Loucks was a pivotal part of Florida State’s rise to national prominence during his playing days. FSU basketball’s career leader in games played, he helped the Seminoles capture their first ACC Tournament championship in 2012. Loucks’ leadership on the floor was instrumental in the team’s success, as he provided steady playmaking and a relentless work ethic that mirrored Hamilton’s coaching philosophy.
“I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the head coach for the Florida State men’s basketball team,” Loucks said. “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. We will have a standard that we stick to on and off the court that will help build a championship-level culture. I am privileged to have seen firsthand what winning feels like at Florida State, and I am hungry for more.”
After graduating, Loucks transitioned into coaching and player development, quickly making a name for himself in professional basketball circles. He spent several years working with NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, where he contributed to player development during their championship runs. Most recently, he worked under Mike Brown with the Sacramento Kings, coaching in the California state capital since 2022, and becoming the defensive coordinator in 2024. His time in the NBA refined his strategic understanding of the game and exposed him to the highest levels of competition, an experience he now brings back to Florida State.
Loucks had nothing but glowing comments about outgoing FSU head coach and mentor Leonard Hamilton:
Hall of fame coach and a better person. Would not be where I am without his guidance. Absolute legend! Job well done. https://t.co/2YcKNbzPmi
— Luke Loucks (@lukeloucks) March 9, 2025
Loucks steps into a program that has seen recent struggles. Barring a miracle run to capture the ACC tournament championship, the Seminoles will miss the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight season.
Loucks’ FSU bio:
Florida State’s starting point guard during his senior season who set the school record for career games played (136) and wins played in by a Seminole player (95) during his four year career…played on a school record four consecutive NCAA Tournament teams and helped the Seminoles win their first ACC Championship in 2012…in addition to helping lead the Seminoles to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and to the championship of the 2012 ACC Tournament, he led Florida State to the first two appearances in the championship game of the ACC Tournament (2009 and 2012), to the championships of the 2009 Global Sports Classic, the 2010 Old Spice Classic, two victories over the nation’s No. 1 ranked team (North Carolina in 2009 and Duke in 2011), to 16 victories over nationally ranked teams and a school record four top four finishes in the ACC standings…the Seminoles totaled a record of 95-41 – the most wins in a four year period in school history and were 43-21 in the ACC – a total which also ranks as the most in a four year period for the Seminole basketball program…with Loucks in the line-up, the Seminoles were nationally ranked during each of his four seasons and ranked 10th nationally in the final Associated Press poll of the 2011-12 season…prior to Loucks’ arrival, the Seminoles had not played in consecutive NCAA Tournaments since the 1992 and 1993 seasons, had never played in the ACC Tournament championship game, had not won an in season tournament championship since 1988 and had not won more than 10 regular season ACC games since the 1993 season…named to the All-Tournament First Team at the 2012 ACC Tournament as he led the Seminoles to wins over Miami (March 9, 2012; 82-71), No. 6 Duke (March 10, 2012; 62-59) and No. 4 North Carolina (March 11, 2012; 85-82) as the Seminoles claimed the first ACC Championship in school history at the Philips Arena in Atlanta…totaled a championship games and career high 13 assists in the championship final game as the Seminoles defeated North Carolina to win the championship…finished his career ranked first in school history with 136 games played, eighth in school history with 291 career assists and 23rd in school history with 88 career 3-point field goals made…helped lead Florida State to wins over the four ACC teams from the state of North Carolina (Duke, North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest) in the same season for the first time in school history…with Loucks in the line-up, the Seminoles became only the third team in ACC Tournament history to defeat Duke and North Carolina in consecutive games in the semifinals and finals of the greatest tournament in all of college basketball and became the first team since Georgia Tech in 1996 to defeat both Duke and North Carolina in multiple seasons…Loucks played in every game of his career at Florida State including seven NCAA Tournament games, the 2009 ACC Tournament Championship game, 16 victories over nationally ranked teams including No. 1 North Carolina (March 14, 2009) and No. 1 Duke (Jan. 12, 2011) and in a total of 95 victories overall…the Seminoles’ victory over No. 1 North Carolina on March 14, 2009 was the third in school history and first over the No. 1 ranked team in the ACC Tournament in school history….the victory advanced Florida State to the ACC Tournament championship game for the first time in school history…the victory over the Tar Heels was North Carolina’s last loss of the season as they went on to win the National Championship…was Florida State’s first commitment for the Seminoles’ 2008 recruiting class as he pledged his commitment to Leonard Hamilton and his staff as a high school junior… earned his undergraduate degree in business management in August of 2011 will earn his Master’s degree in sport management in August of 2012…earned the first-year academic achievement award from the Seminoles’ coaching staff at the 2009 Men’s Basketball Honors Banquet…named the Seminoles’ outstanding student-athlete at the team award banquets in 2010 and 2012…earned the Otto Petty Most Assists Award and shared the Tip of the Spear Award with his senior teammates at the team banquet in 2012…named to the All-ACC Academic Basketball Team in 2010, 2011 and 2012…named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2009, 2010 and 2011…