Florida State has appointed former athlete and two-time NBA champion Luke Loucks as the head coach of its men’s basketball team, announced FSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford on Sunday.
“I’m thrilled to inform that Luke Loucks has accepted our proposal to become the next head coach of men’s basketball at Florida State,” Alford stated. “Luke will bring a distinctive mix of attributes to our program, and I’m eager to embark on the next chapter of our basketball legacy under his direction. Across basketball at both the professional and collegiate arenas, Luke has built a reputation as one of the emerging talents in coaching. Having been a critical component of some of the most successful moments in FSU basketball as a player, he also possesses a demonstrated capacity for player development at the pinnacle of the sport.”
“I am excited to welcome Luke Loucks back to Florida State University as our next head men’s basketball coach,” Florida State President Richard McCullough expressed. “Luke’s outstanding coaching talent, significant leadership abilities, and comprehensive basketball insight make him the perfect match to guide our program. As a former Seminole, he comprehends the principles and traditions that define FSU basketball. I trust that under his leadership, Florida State will continue to experience success and uphold the proud heritage of Seminole basketball. Welcome back, Coach Loucks!”
Loucks brings extensive knowledge and experience in professional, collegiate, and international basketball. He focuses on on-court training and player development, having most recently worked as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings after time spent on the coaching staff of the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns.
“I am immensely honored and excited about the opportunity to serve as the head coach for the Florida State men’s basketball program,” Loucks stated. “FSU has a rich legacy in basketball, and I look forward to advancing the legacy established by our previous coaches, particularly Coach Hamilton. I want to express gratitude to the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors for providing me with a robust coaching foundation. I’m eager to assemble our coaching staff with the most capable and brilliant basketball coaches in America. They will possess traits that support and challenge me while aiding in building and nurturing a competitive team year after year. We will uphold a standard on and off the court that contributes to cultivating a championship-level atmosphere. I am privileged to have experienced what winning feels like at Florida State, and I am eager for more.”
His tenure in the NBA involved collaboration with perennial All-Stars like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Zach LaVine. During Loucks’ period with Golden State, Durant was named NBA Finals MVP twice and also earned first-team All-NBA honors. Curry secured first-team All-NBA accolades three times while Loucks was part of the staff, and Green was honored as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
“Our staff will recruit and construct our roster with competitive, high-IQ, and highly talented players who aspire to play professionally,” Loucks commented. “Our objective is to shape those individuals into a cohesive team that grasps our vision and the style of play we aspire to enact. My wife and three kids are incredibly excited to return to Florida, where our families reside and community connections are strong. We can’t wait to create something remarkable in Tallahassee.”
Loucks was part of a staff that guided the Warriors to consecutive NBA championships, clinching the 2017 title in five games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and repeating in 2018 with a clean sweep of the Cavaliers. The Warriors achieved a postseason record of 46-14 during his four years with the organization, including a 16-1 record in the 2017 Playoffs, setting the NBA record for the highest winning percentage in a single playoff season.
“I’m very optimistic about the future of our men’s basketball program, and I’m also very pleased that this new era will serve as a bridge to a successful past while paving the way toward an even brighter future,” Alford remarked. “I’m also thrilled that Luke and his wife, Stevi, fully comprehend the experience of being an FSU student-athlete. They recognize what a remarkable place this is, and I am deeply appreciative of their desire to be part of this once more.”
Before coming back to Tallahassee to helm Florida State, Loucks spent the preceding three seasons as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings. He was Sacramento’s defensive coordinator during 2024-25, aiding the Kings in achieving their best defensive performance in 20 seasons. In his initial two seasons, he contributed to the Kings’ offense. The 2022-23 squad set the record for the NBA’s single-season offensive efficiency rating with a score of 119.4, exceeding the previous record by a full point.
In 2022-23, his inaugural season with the Kings, the team secured a 48-34 record, the franchise’s highest win total since 2004-05, and entered the Playoffs for the first time since 2005-06. The following year, he assisted the Kings in notching 46 wins for the franchise’s best two-year span since the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. He also coached the Nigerian National Team, playing a role in Nigeria defeating Team USA in a pre-Olympics exhibition match and later ranking first among all nations with an average of 11.0 steals per game at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Loucks was instrumental in leading FSU to the NCAA Tournament throughout all four seasons as a player, marking the first occasion in program history that the Seminoles advanced to the NCAA Tournament for four successive years. He was recognized as a member of the All-ACC Tournament Team in 2012 after steering Florida State to the program’s initial ACC Tournament title.
In the ACC Championship Game win over the top-seed and No. 4-ranked North Carolina, Loucks matched the program record for the most assists in a game against an ACC opponent with 13. His total of 136 career games played ranks No. 4 on FSU’s all-time list, and he still ranks 10th in program history with 391 career assists. Following his playing career at FSU, Loucks competed for three seasons in Europe and one year in the NBA Development League.
Loucks obtained his bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida State in 2011 and completed his master’s degree in sport management from FSU in 2012. He and his spouse, Stevi, have three children. He is married to the former Stevi Steinhauer, who participated in freestyle, butterfly, and relay events for FSU from 2006-10. Loucks’ sister, Emma, played for the Florida State women’s basketball team during her freshman year, and their father, Lincoln, also attended Florida State.
Luke Loucks Coaching Timeline
2025- Florida State Head Coach
2022-25 Sacramento Kings (NBA) Assistant Coach
2021-22 Phoenix Suns (NBA) Basketball Strategy and Personnel Evaluation
2019-21 Golden State Warriors (NBA) Player Development Coach
2017-19 Golden State Warriors (NBA) Two-Way Player Development Coach
2016-17 Golden State Warriors (NBA) Film and Player Development Intern
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT LUKE LOUCKS
“Luke was an outstanding Seminole player who played a crucial role in leading Florida State to its first ACC Championship. I’m extremely proud to witness his return as head coach of a program he helped elevate to such great heights. Luke and Stevi epitomize what it means to be a Seminole — donning the Garnet and Gold isn’t merely a part of their past; it defines who they are. They are family, and it’s significant to have a Florida State basketball coach who genuinely understands that. I also wish to commend Director of Athletics Michael Alford and Deputy Director of Athletics Doug Walker for conducting a thoughtful and meticulous search process, culminating in an exceptional selection to lead the Florida State program into its next phase.” Leonard Hamilton, Florida State Head Coach 2002-2025
“Luke Loucks is a proficient coach and particularly talented in player development. He assisted Kings players in achieving All-Star and All-NBA honors. His passion for FSU is evident, and I am confident he is ready for this exceptional opportunity.” Monte McNair, Sacramento Kings General Manager
“I am incredibly excited for Luke, as he is truly deserving of this chance. Florida State is gaining a complete winner as a head coach and a remarkable individual. Luke possesses experience in every aspect of the game. He excels in player development, was part of a championship franchise in Golden State, and was an invaluable asset to my coaching staff in Sacramento. He is an excellent connector with players and people alike, and will undoubtedly be a remarkable leader both on and off the court for the Seminoles. I know Luke, his wife Stevi, and three wonderful children are looking forward to their return to Tallahassee and will be a fantastic addition to the Florida State family.” Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings Head Coach 2022-2024
The post Florida State Appoints Luke Loucks as Men’s Basketball Head Coach appeared first on Florida State University News.