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Seminoles Beat: Hamilton Goes About Business

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Leonard Hamilton is no fool. The Florida State basketball coach is entering his 20th season as a collegiate head coach. He also spent a season as an NBA head coach and six years as associate head coach at basketball-crazy Kentucky. Hamilton knows that you win, or eventually you lose your job.

It's that simple. Even junior guard Toney Douglas, a bright-eyed 21-year-old, knows that truth.

"Sometimes it's not the coach's fault," Douglas said. "They take the blame for us."

Some believe that Hamilton, entering his sixth season at FSU, is facing one of those win-or-else seasons. If so, Hamilton doesn't appear to be worried about losing his job.

"That's part of the business," Hamilton said recently. "As a coach, I've been living this profession for many, many years."

When Hamilton took over FSU's program in 2002, the Seminoles were a mess, coming off four consecutive losing seasons under former coach Steve Robinson. Hamilton started from scratch, something he had done previously during rebuilding projects at Oklahoma State and Miami.

In his third season at Oklahoma State, Hamilton led the Cowboys to the NIT, their first postseason berth in more than 30 years. In a decade at Miami, Hamilton rebuilt the Hurricanes into perennial postseason contenders, including a Sweet 16 appearance his final season in 2000.

After a miserable year in the NBA and another year off, Hamilton was hired by FSU athletic director Dave Hart to undertake a similar rebuilding project in Tallahassee. To help, the Noles moved into a sparkling $10 million practice facility soon after Hamilton arrived on campus.

The future looked bright, and in some ways, it has been. In Hamilton's five seasons, the Noles have made the NIT three times. In each of the past two seasons, the Noles have won 20 or more games, something they hadn't done in 14 years. However, FSU narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament both seasons, leaving a fan base whose once-dominant football program is struggling that much more frustrated.

"We have to understand that close is not good enough," senior guard Jason Rich said. "We can't be going into the ACC Tournament saying, 'We have to win this many games to make the tournament.' We want to know we're already in there.

"We have to take care of that in the regular season."

With Hart on his way out, Hamilton faces a future without one of his biggest supporters. And on the court, he faces a season without the biggest star he has coached at FSU, NBA lottery pick Al Thornton. That combination doesn't seem to be a recipe for job security, especially in the formidable Atlantic Coast Conference.

"He's been talking to us the same way he's been talking to us ever since he has been here," junior Casaan Breeden said. "It hasn't been about him, it's been about us. I think in the end, even if Coach is not here, he's going to be all right."

Of course, Hamilton isn't planning on going anywhere.

"I know we're doing the right things," he said. "I know our kids are getting better. I know we're making progress. I realize it's just a matter of time. I know that. I'm not saying that boastfully. I just know that we are going to get this done. Part of the fun is the challenge of building programs against the odds."

Even when it appears the odds keep growing.

FSU Shorts

HONOR ROLL: Junior midfielder Mami Yamaguchi was named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. Yamaguchi led the ACC in goals (19) and points (46).

SOUNDBITE CENTRAL: "I thought he played a heck of a game. I know one thing: He didn't have three turnovers." - FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher on whether Noles QB Drew Weatherford outplayed Boston College QB and Heisman candidate Matt Ryan.

LOOK OUT FOR: The women's soccer team faces Boston College tonight at 7:30 in the first round of the ACC Tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you think FSU basketball coach Leonard Hamilton should be fired if the Noles fail to make the NCAA Tournament this season? To vote or monitor results, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

TBO.COM POLL: At this point in his career, should QB Xavier Lee stay at FSU or transfer to a smaller school next year for his senior season? Stay (31.2 percent); transfer (68.8 percent).

BLOG BONUS: FSU has a good chance at being the highest-ranked team in the state at season's end. For more, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

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