Leonard Hamilton, the head coach of the Florida State men’s basketball team, recently mourned the loss of his friend and mentor, Joe B. Hall. Hall, a legendary coach at the University of Kentucky, passed away at the age of 93, leaving a lasting impact on the basketball community.
Hamilton shared a special bond with Hall, having served as his assistant at UK for 12 years. He was not only the first Black assistant coach in Kentucky basketball history but also became the program’s first associate head coach in 1980. Hamilton expressed his condolences to Hall’s family and the entire University of Kentucky nation, highlighting Hall’s profound love and passion for the sport.
Reflecting on his years with Hall, Hamilton acknowledged the pivotal role his mentor played in shaping his coaching career. Hall’s phone call offering Hamilton a coaching position at UK was described as “divine intervention” by Hamilton, ultimately leading him to a successful coaching journey spanning various teams and championships.
Hamilton’s coaching tenure at Florida State has been remarkable, achieving numerous milestones and leading the Seminoles to consecutive NCAA Tournament successes. He credits his experiences at Kentucky under Hall’s guidance for preparing him for the challenges of head coaching. Hamilton’s dedication to the game and commitment to his players reflect the values instilled in him by Hall.
As the basketball community mourns the loss of a true icon, Leonard Hamilton’s tribute to Joe B. Hall serves as a testament to their enduring friendship and the legacy of Kentucky basketball.
Attribution:
This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/2022/01/15/fsus-leonard-hamilton-spent-12-years-kentucky-joe-b-hall/6539470001/.