ACC Basketball: Top 10 head coaches of the century (2000-20)

By Joey Loose | May 29, 2020

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands before North Carolina's game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images) /

6 of 11

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 28: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the the Florida State Seminoles (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

6. Leonard Hamilton – Florida State (2002-2020)

With all fairness to Florida State, the Seminoles weren’t exactly a high-profile program when Hamilton was hired in 2002. They had played for a national title in the 70’s, but only had ten NCAA Tournament appearances on the resume. Hamilton had fizzled out as head coach of the Washington Wizards after success with Oklahoma State and Miami, but this was the perfect marriage for both sides.

In his 18 years in Tallahassee, Hamilton has already led the Seminoles to seven NCAA Tournament, two Sweet Sixteens, and an Elite Eight run in 2018. In a league with Duke, North Carolina and others always near the top, he’s managed to build a consistently successful program. His Florida State team even won the ACC regular-season crown this past season, though the conference tournament was canceled. The Seminoles have won at least 26 games in three of the last four seasons.

What makes Hamilton’s time impressive isn’t just that Elite Eight run, which happened during an 8th place finish in the ACC. What stands out is Florida State’s consistency and Hamilton’s ability to bring in talent and make them successful. This team has finished in the top 4 of the ACC in six of the last eleven years, something those fans at Georgia Tech and Wake Forest can only dream of these days.