Leonard Hamilton came to Austin Peay in 1971-72 as a graduate assistant before being elevated to full-time assistant from 1972-74. His reputation as being a “players coach” was forged during his APSU days when he was largely responsible for bringing in the likes of James “Fly” Williams, Danny Odums, Ralph Garner...plus several other stars of that era that propelled Austin Peay basketball to national prominence and helped spark “Peaymania.”
His efforts helped APSU to a 49-31 record during his tenure and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, the Governors’ first as a Division I program. Hamilton also served as APSU freshman coach in 1971-72.
Hamilton left APSU after the 1973-74 season to become assistant coach and chief recruiter at Kentucky. He became the program’s first associate coach head (1980-86). At Kentucky, his efforts played a huge role in the Wildcats’ 1978 NCAA championship.
After 12 seasons at Kentucky, he accepted the challenge of his first college head coaching assignment at Oklahoma, becoming the first African-American coach in the old Big 8 (now Big 12). He led the Sooners to two straight NIT appearances.
In 1990, he accepted an even greater challenge when he took over the basketball program at football powerhouse Miami. After four losing seasons, he turned the Hurricane program into one of the most respected in the Big East. His clubs made five post-season appearances, including three consecutive NCAA tourney berths (1998-00) for the first time in school history. He was two-time Big East Coach of the Year and led the 1999-2000 club to its first-ever Big East co-championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. More importantly to Hamilton, he saw more than 90 percent of his Miami seniors graduate during his tenure.
In 2000-01, he sought another challenge and accepted the coaching position of the Washington Wizards in the NBA.
In 2003, he returned to college coaching at Florida State, where he has been the head man since. Hamilton was named ACC Coach of the Year on March 10, 2009, and a second time in 2012. Hamilton was the first coach to be named coach of the year in both the Big East and ACC.
In 2018 he was named the Clarence "Big House" Gaines National Coach of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
