March 19
Florida State made a great choice in naming Leonard Hamilton head coach.

He's the perfect hire for the Seminoles. Give AD Dave Hart lots of credit for making it happen. Florida State wants to chase the goal of a national championship; the school wants to show that basketball is vital to the athletic program. This is a school that's been known for its football success, baby!

	Leonard Hamilton has resurrected programs before.

Hamilton told me a few weeks ago that he only wanted to go to a school that had the goal of winning a national title. Florida State has recently completed a $10 million practice facility that is first-rate, as good as any in America. With the benefits of the ACC's visibility and exposure plus a great basketball tradition, Hamilton will sell Florida State basketball big-time.

What makes him a special hire is the success he enjoyed at Miami, where football is obviously king. Hamilton embraced football and used it as a positive. He led the Hurricanes to the NCAA Tournament three straight years (1998-2000). The man can flat-out communicate and coach.

Hamilton's success is even more impressive when you consider that the Hurricanes, who played before small crowds at Miami Arena, didn't really have a true home-court advantage. Now Miami is finishing a new on-campus facility, the Ryder Center.

At Florida State, he will get a first-class facility that underwent a major renovation. And the Seminoles get a coach who was a hot item, sought by many. Don't forget, besides coaching in the NBA with the Wizards and at Miami, he did a great job at Oklahoma State before Eddie Sutton arrived. He set the table in Stillwater for a solid program that went to the Final Four in the mid-1990s. Hamilton was also a brilliant recruiter at Kentucky. He's capable of building another program.

Look out, Mike Krzyzewski, Gary Williams and company -- here comes Leonard Hamilton, baby! This guy will be relentless and tenacious. He's more than a recruiter. He has a great basketball IQ, a great feel for the flow of the game, a great understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his players. Seminole Country is very lucky to get this experienced winner. Dave Hart made a fantastic choice!