To put it bluntly: Leonard Hamilton’s treatment of Dana Jacobson on Saturday was wrong.
The CBS Sports reporter, however, is harboring no ill will toward the Florida State head coach.
Hamilton has drawn widespread criticism for not ordering the Seminoles to foul Michigan in the closing moments of the Wolverines’ 58-54 Elite Eight victory. And shortly after FSU was knocked out of 2018 NCAA Tournament, Hamilton held an awkward, baffling interview with Jacobson, who asked about his decision to not foul.
But early Sunday morning, Jacobson took to Twitter to defend Hamilton, who understandably was emotional after the defeat.
Coach Hamilton spoke to me minutes after an emotional @FSUHoops loss. It was the right question to ask. He showed emotion & I appreciate him talking through it w/me instead of walking off. He was nothing but professional w/me throughout this weekend as I believe I was with them.
— Dana Jacobson (@danajacobson) March 25, 2018
Hamilton has yet to either apologize or double-down on his postgame remarks.
At the end of the day, Hamilton was wrong for not fouling and even more off the mark during the interview. But he deserves some slack for letting his emotions get the best of them, as well as a ton of praise for leading the ninth-seeded Seminoles on a memorable March Madness run.
