Skip to content Florida State has its new head basketball coach. Former FSU player and current NBA assistant Luke Loucks is returning to Tallahassee to lead the Seminoles as the program’s new head coach.
Loucks, who was identified as a leading candidate on Friday, was formally announced as the hire to succeed Leonard Hamilton on Sunday.
I’m excited to announce that Luke Loucks has accepted our offer to become the next head men’s basketball coach at Florida State,” FSU athletic director Michael Alford said in a program release.
“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 played for the Nole under Hamilton from 2008-12. He has been in coaching since 2016, getting his start with the Golden State Warriors as a development intern.
Luke was an exceptional Seminole player who played a key role in leading Florida State to its first ACC Championship,” Hamilton said via FSU. “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.
After serving as a development coach with the Warriors into 2021, Loucks then joined the Suns in a strategy and evaluation role. He has been an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings since 2022.
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 program release. “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.
Hamilton finished as FSU’s winningest coach in program history, posting a record of 460-295 from 2002-25. The Seminoles ended the regular season with a record of 17-14 and will face Syracuse in the ACC Tournament on Tuesday.
Andrew Olson
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
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