The biggest news rolling out of Florida State basketball isn’t a transfer portal splash, it’s Chris Kent, a former assistant and director of player development under Luke Loucks, officially becoming the head coach of the Austin Spurs. Yeah, you heard that right: the San Antonio Spurs’ NBA G League affiliate. That’s a massive jump, and it shows Loucks, despite only entering his second season at the helm, is already cultivating something seriously impressive.
That “Small Bush” Is Sprouting Head Coaches
Kent is now the 12th head coach for the Austin Spurs, taking the reins after spending the entire 2025-26 season with Loucks at Florida State. If you’re Loucks, you gotta be beaming with pride. He didn’t mince words either, saying, “Chris couldn’t be more deserving. He is absolutely ready to be a head coach.” That’s not just a polite send-off, that’s a direct endorsement of the talent Loucks is developing. But Kent’s big move isn’t the only branch on this rapidly growing tree.
Jabril Durham, who was a graduate assistant, has snagged an assistant coaching spot on Joey Cantens’ staff at FIU. Then there’s Perin Foote, previously FSU’s director of basketball operations, who’s now an assistant coach at North Alabama. And Ryan Shnider, who served as FSU’s assistant director of basketball operations, also locked down an assistant coaching position at Eckerd College. That’s a serious exodus of talent from Loucks’s staff, all moving up the coaching ladder. Four key members from his first season, all earning new assistant or head coaching opportunities. Talk about a fast track!
Paying it Forward: NBA Legends and a New Vision
Loucks, who’s still a young guy at 36, views this talent movement as a crucial part of his responsibility: helping young coaches prepare for their next big step. He knows what it’s like to climb the ranks, crediting NBA coaching giants Steve Kerr and Mike Brown with helping him develop during his own time in the pros. “You’re never really ready,” Loucks admitted when talking about the leap to head coach, “but when you get in that seat, you have some influence, you’re prepared for what’s to come your way.” That kind of insight is clearly benefiting his staff.
All these openings also mean some fresh faces and promotions within the program! Kyle Washington and Justin Lindner have both earned full-time assistant coaching roles, with Lindner stepping up to oversee player development. Plus, FSU brought in Sam Logwood as their new director of video and scouting, and this guy’s resume is legit: previous stops include Oregon, Cal State Bakersfield, and even the Sacramento Kings. When Jeff Culhane, the Voice of the Seminoles, suggested a “Luke Loucks tree” was starting to grow, Loucks jokingly downplayed it. “It’s scary,” he said, calling it “just a small bush, a weed really.” But then came the mic-drop qualifier: “It’ll grow. It’ll grow.” And based on what we’ve seen already, you know he means it.
As Loucks heads into his second season, every eye will be on how these new staff members gel and how much bigger that “weed” truly gets. Get ready, because it feels like this coaching tree is just getting started, and it’s already making waves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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