A coaching era is nearing its conclusion in Tallahassee as Leonard Hamilton prepares to step down as Florida State’s head basketball coach at the end of the season. While the Seminoles aim for a strong finish, the focus has already shifted to who will take over the program. Could a former NBA champion and FSU legend be the one to guide the team into the future?
NBA Champion Sam Cassell Alongside Florida State’s Coaching Search Begins
Hamilton has built a legacy at Florida State, but this season has been challenging. The Seminoles hold a 16-13 overall record and rank 10th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Despite flashes of promise, inconsistency has plagued the team, making a postseason run uncertain.
With just a few games remaining—including matchups against Virginia, SMU, and the ACC Tournament—the program is bracing for a transition.
Celtics lead assistant Sam Cassell is a top candidate for the Florida State head coach vacancy, per @GoodmanHoops.
Cassell was a first-round pick out of Florida State in 1993.
Cassell interviewed with the Lakers for their opening last year before ultimately choosing JJ Redick. pic.twitter.com/1WnYBpUHaf
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) March 4, 2025
Rumors about Hamilton’s successor are swirling, with several candidates emerging as potential replacements. One name that has gained significant traction is Sam Cassell, a former Seminoles standout and three-time NBA champion.
Cassell, currently an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics, has expressed interest in coaching at the collegiate level. And his ties to Florida State make him a compelling option.
College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman recently reported on several names being considered for the Florida State vacancy.
In addition to Cassell, the list includes Sacramento Kings assistant coach Luke Loucks, UAB head coach Andy Kennedy, Arkansas State’s Bryan Hodgson, Samford’s Bucky McMillan, and Duke associate head coach Chris Carrawell.
Each candidate brings unique strengths to the table, and Florida State’s administration is weighing its options carefully.
“The big question that candidates have for the Florida State [job] is its commitment resource-wise to the basketball program,” Goodman noted. Given the university’s heavy investment in football and the ACC’s financial limitations, the next head coach will need to navigate challenges related to NIL funding and facilities upgrades.
Loucks has been viewed as a strong contender among the candidates. He was spotted at the Florida State-Clemson game over the NBA’s All-Star break, fueling speculation that he might be the front-runner.
Cassell, meanwhile, stated publicly a few weeks ago that he hadn’t been contacted by FSU, but that could have changed as the search process has intensified.
A Look at the Other Contenders
Beyond Cassell and Loucks, other names are worth considering. Bucky McMillan led Samford to an NCAA Tournament appearance last season and has turned the program into a powerhouse within the Southern Conference. His up-tempo style, known as “Bucky Ball,” has drawn attention from bigger programs looking for a fresh approach.
Andy Kennedy has an impressive track record as well, winning 20+ games in each of his first four seasons at UAB and making multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. He also spent 12 seasons as the head coach at Ole Miss, guiding them to two tournament berths.
Bryan Hodgson is another rising star in the coaching ranks. Arkansas State currently leads the Sun Belt with a 22-9 record, and Hodgson has delivered back-to-back 20-win seasons despite being in just his second year as a head coach. His experience under Nate Oats at Buffalo and Alabama makes him a strong candidate for a high-major job.
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Chris Carrawell, meanwhile, has played a key role in developing NBA talent at Duke. As an assistant coach since 2018, he has worked with stars like Kyle Filipowski and Dereck Lively II, demonstrating a strong ability to recruit and develop top-tier players.
The Seminoles’ next head coach must recruit at a high level and reinvigorate a fan base that has grown restless in recent years. With Hamilton stepping down, Florida State has an opportunity to make a bold hire that can restore the program to national prominence. Whether it’s Cassell, Loucks, or another rising coach, the decision will shape the future of Seminoles basketball for years to come.
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