TALLAHASSEE, FL — In a stunning show of loyalty that has Seminole Nation buzzing, Florida State basketball legend Al Thornton has rejected a $2.7 million coaching offer from in-state rival University of Miami, stating simply: “I bleed garnet, not green.”
Thornton, a 2007 first-round NBA draft pick and one of the most dynamic players in FSU history, was offered a three-year deal worth $2.7 million to join the Hurricanes’ basketball program as an associate head coach. Many believed he was on the verge of accepting the role—but instead, Thornton made a statement that echoed across social media and sports radio alike.
“I’ve had a lot of great opportunities since I left the league,” Thornton told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “But I could never coach against Florida State. That’s home. That’s family. Money can’t buy that.”
The University of Miami had hoped Thornton’s South Florida ties and professional experience would boost their recruiting and player development. But Thornton’s heart, it turns out, never left Tallahassee.
Online reaction was instant and emotional. FSU fans flooded comment sections with phrases like “Loyalty still lives” and “True Seminole forever.” One viral post on Facebook read: “He turned down $2.7M just to stay true to the Noles. Put his name in the rafters!”
Thornton’s legacy already includes multiple All-ACC honors, a 40-inch vertical that became Tallahassee legend, and a stint in the NBA with the Clippers, Wizards, and Warriors. But this latest act may cement his place among the most beloved Seminole athletes of all time.
Even FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford weighed in, hinting that a new role may soon be waiting for Thornton inside the program.
“We respect Al’s decision immensely,” Alford said. “He’s a true Seminole, and there’s always a seat for him at Florida State.”
Thornton is expected to continue his community work in North Florida, including his youth mentorship camps and training programs. But for now, fans are simply celebrating a rare kind of devotion in modern sports.
“He could’ve taken the money,” one fan commented. “But he chose the garnet and gold. That’s a real one.”
