The Miami Hurricanes Top 100 Plus Sports Icons

19. Leonard Hamilton (1990-2000)

Hamilton was the Miami Hurricanes sixth basketball coach overall and it’s second after they reinstated the sport in 1985. He was the second coach to take the Hurricanes to an NCAA Tournament when he led Miami to an NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.

That was the first of three consecutive appearances for the Hurricanes under Hamilton. He is still the only coach to ever lead Miami appearances in consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

The Hurricanes had one of their best seasons in school history in 1999-2000. Miami went 13-3 to tie Syracuse for the Big East regular-season championship. He was also the program’s first coach to lead Miami to the Sweet 16 when the Hurricanes advanced after defeating Arkansas and Ohio State in the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

Hamilton finished 144-147 in three seasons at Miami. He set the tone in the modern era of Miami basketball to show that the Hurricanes could have a successful basketball program.

Under Hamilton’s leadership, Tim James, James Jones and John Salmons made it to the NBA. Hamilton left following the 2000 season for the NBA’s Washington Wizards. He lasted only one season in Washington, finishing 19-63.

Hamilton has been the Head Coach at Florida State since 2002.