Michael Alford spoke for a few minutes after the FSU-Notre Dame game
(Thoughts on Leonard Hamilton and what he means to FSU basketball) "The respect I have for him and what he’s meant to this university and what he’s meant to this program, but more importantly what he’s meant to the countless number of student athletes that have come through here is just truly remarkable." ... "We’re going to look forward. We’re going to move the program forward. Try to do it as quickly as we can. No promises."
(Timeline to make a hire, was the transfer portal opening mid-March a factor) "You look at things timeline-wise, you look at where the portal comes open at the conclusion of the season. The portal really comes open during the tournament in basketball. Looking at that and we have an obligation to these young me to know what the future is going to be holding for the program and the university. That did play a key role."
(It's been a short amount of time, but what feedback has he received from candidates) "It's an attractive job. And it’s an attractive job because of Leonard Hamilton. And they know that the program is in a good place. They know that it’s supported. They know that we care about this sport here."
"I’ve talked to him (Hamilton) about assisting on the transition. I want him to be a part of this. I want him to always feel welcomed at this university, at this basketball program."
(What he's seeking in the next basketball coach?) "Winning. Doing it the right way. Graduating your student-athletes. Being in the community. How can you mirror that guy. You can't. But can we get someone of high character. If you go through my hiring history, looking at people of high character that's going to really take care of the student-athlete, really understand the education part. ... That's going to look out for them off the field, off the court, more than they do on. And really understand 18 to 23 year olds are really impressionable years and someone that's going to pour into them to make them better people. And it's also looking on the court. It's a holistic view. It's not just winning, winning at all costs. We're here to educate young men and women."
(Thoughts on Leonard Hamilton and what he means to FSU basketball) "The respect I have for him and what he’s meant to this university and what he’s meant to this program, but more importantly what he’s meant to the countless number of student athletes that have come through here is just truly remarkable." ... "We’re going to look forward. We’re going to move the program forward. Try to do it as quickly as we can. No promises."
(Timeline to make a hire, was the transfer portal opening mid-March a factor) "You look at things timeline-wise, you look at where the portal comes open at the conclusion of the season. The portal really comes open during the tournament in basketball. Looking at that and we have an obligation to these young me to know what the future is going to be holding for the program and the university. That did play a key role."
(It's been a short amount of time, but what feedback has he received from candidates) "It's an attractive job. And it’s an attractive job because of Leonard Hamilton. And they know that the program is in a good place. They know that it’s supported. They know that we care about this sport here."
"I’ve talked to him (Hamilton) about assisting on the transition. I want him to be a part of this. I want him to always feel welcomed at this university, at this basketball program."
(What he's seeking in the next basketball coach?) "Winning. Doing it the right way. Graduating your student-athletes. Being in the community. How can you mirror that guy. You can't. But can we get someone of high character. If you go through my hiring history, looking at people of high character that's going to really take care of the student-athlete, really understand the education part. ... That's going to look out for them off the field, off the court, more than they do on. And really understand 18 to 23 year olds are really impressionable years and someone that's going to pour into them to make them better people. And it's also looking on the court. It's a holistic view. It's not just winning, winning at all costs. We're here to educate young men and women."
