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In Leonard Hamilton, A Legendary Opponent For All The Right Reasons
2/9/2024 12:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
It doesn't take more than a cursory view of the record books to understand how college basketball grew into an international phenomenon. The game is growing thanks to the overseas appeal generated by both the NBA and March Madness, but the blending of Eurobasket and Pan-Asian superstars mixed the sport to unprecedented degrees. The overall burst of ongoing realignment and expansion simultaneously converted college basketball's reach to a national audience, but shifting the tectonic plates along international waters enriched the overall depth beyond anyone's wildest imagination.
The game is incredibly different, but even the global eradication of fault lines or borders hasn't done much to destroy the deep history teams possess in their home markets. The ensuing combination is showing players how to develop identities according to regional communities, and it's possible that the blend is now creating a situation where the best teams are the ones who can bring their old-school mentality to new-school classrooms.
A prime example was slated for Tuesday night's game, when Boston College hosted Florida State in a matchup defined by two old school coaches. In an era of change, they represent a throwback to their state and region's older eras, and their ability to generate success is defined by their ability to read, learn, and adapt while maintaining a purpose that's greater than anything seen on the basketball court.
"What I've learned from [Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton] is to keep the main thing the main thing," said BC head coach Earl Grant. "It's not about me or about him because we're trying to help these young men. That's why we got into the business in the first place - to help these guys get a degree so they can go better their life. They can take care of their wife and kids, they can work a job, they can be successful, and they can make an impact in society as productive citizens by improving the man and improving the player."
Leonard Hamilton is one of college basketball's legendary head coaches, but his presence within the ACC took new meaning after the retirements of several of his seasoned Springfield-enshrined peers. Over the past five years, a league built on the oversized personalities on the sidelines lost some of its biggest competitors to a natural life cycle. Roy Williams' retirement in 2021 preceded Mike Krzyzewki's departure one year later, and Jim Boeheim joined them this year after spending 47 of his 54-year tenure at Syracuse as the Orange's head coach.
Hamilton - who should also have a second home in Springfield soon - has been in Tallahassee for 22 years but previously coached Miami for 10 years before a one-year stint with the NBA's Washington Wizards. His move to the Seminoles in 2002 preceded the Hurricanes' arrival in the ACC by two years, and he spent time coaching against two different tenures at his old job before Jim Larranaga arrived from George Mason in 2011. Since returning to the college ranks, the one-time Big East champion produced a record number of all-time wins for the team's program while clinching FSU's first conference tournament championship in 21 years and a second title when the postseason crown was awarded to the first place, regular season champion Seminoles during the COVID-cancelled 2020 tournament.
But what makes Hamilton truly special is what he's done away from the court. His fundraising efforts with the National Association of Basketball Coaches have helped raise over $100 million for research funds with the American Cancer Society, and his constant presence elevated the profile of FSU's participation in the Coaches vs. Cancer movement, the nationwide three-point challenge, and annual suits and sneakers awareness games after he lost his grandmother, both of his parents, and two siblings to the disease.
That lifelong understanding defined his purpose and earned him recognition as one of sports' all-time greatest human beings, and seeing him on any sideline is a reminder of service above self. He's widely recognized for his efforts - he was selected for recognition at the 13th Annual Dick Vitale Gala in 2018 - but it's the way he's treated people with respect and honor that makes FSU one of BC's most anticipated opponents on the basketball schedule.
"I think, for me, that's maybe what I've learned the most from him," Grant said. "The reason his longevity has been the way that it's been is because he's treated people the right way. His intent and his intentions and his purpose for doing what he does is pretty obvious."
Tuesday night was a game at its heart. The matchup between Boston College and Florida State carried huge ramifications within a standings table where the Eagles started the night two games behind the Seminoles and chasing down the next tier's breakaway pack. A team that struggled to nine wins last year after dealing with injuries is back into postseason contention with a 12-9 overall record and a 6-4 ACC record that's on the verge of pushing into second place.
Yet that game meant more to a world where the transfer portal, NIL and one-and-done draft picks exceedingly permeates the conversation. Two coaches who are built from humble southern backgrounds battled one another in a game built on respect and honor. Two teams that play similar, hard-nosed, rugged styles looked at one another and battled for a win before shaking hands with one another.
It won't get much better than this.
