Leonard Hamilton joined the University of Miami on April 2, 1990, from Oklahoma State, becoming the first Black head coach of any UM sports team. At 41 years old, he signed a contract worth around $200,000, which included a TV show, a shoe deal, and a summer camp. At the time, Miami had only recently reinstated its men’s basketball program after a 13-year break. Over the next decade, Hamilton transformed the team from a consistent underperformer into a Sweet 16 contender.
Following his tenure at UM, he moved to the NBA to coach the Washington Wizards before returning to college basketball with Florida State. Over the past 23 seasons, he became the winningest coach in FSU history and earned a $2.25 million salary. On Wednesday night in Tallahassee, Hamilton will face Miami for the final time, having recently announced his retirement at the end of the season.
“Every coach reaches a point where they know it’s time, and that’s how I feel,” Hamilton said on Monday. While he acknowledged the evolving landscape of college basketball, he chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he expressed his desire to start a new chapter while still in good health. He also reflected on the sacrifices his family has made and his wish to focus on them and other interests. However, he remains focused on the upcoming game rather than nostalgia.
FSU (15-10, 6-8 ACC) is coming off a 26-point loss to Clemson, and Hamilton is working to get the team back on track. He emphasized that he has never placed more importance on one game over another, as every program he’s led—Oklahoma State, Miami, and Florida State—has required his full attention.
FSU will face a struggling Miami squad (6-19, 2-12 ACC), whose standout player, Matthew Cleveland, transferred from FSU two years ago. Cleveland recently scored a career-high 32 points in a win over Syracuse but struggled in Miami’s 74-65 loss to Pitt on Saturday. Miami coach Bill Courtney noted that opponents are adjusting their defensive strategies to limit Cleveland’s impact.
Hamilton is well aware of Cleveland’s capabilities, praising his competitiveness, endurance, and work ethic. “He runs the floor and never seems to get tired,” Hamilton said. “That’s a rare quality—not many players can push through fatigue without letting up.”