Don DeVoe
Encyclopedia
Donald E. "Don" DeVoe is a former American college basketball
coach and former player. DeVoe played college basketball for Ohio State University
, and later served as the head coach for Virginia Tech, the University of Wyoming
, the University of Tennessee
, the University of Florida
and the U.S. Naval Academy
.
. He attended Ohio State University
in Columbus, Ohio
, where he played for coach Fred Taylor's Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
team from 1962 to 1964. He was a member of the 1962 Buckeyes team that lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats
in the final game of the NCAA Tournament, as well as the Buckeyes' Big Ten Conference
champion teams of 1963 and 1964.
, under whom he served as an assistant coach, from 1965 to 1971, while Knight led the Army Black Knights men's basketball
team. Knight left Army to become the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
team in 1971, and DeVoe was offered the head coach position at Virginia Tech.
While coaching the Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball
team, DeVoe led the Hokies to a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title in 1973, as well as an NCAA tournament appearance in 1976. Playing an independent schedule, DeVoe's Hokies compiled a 88–45 record in five seasons from 1971 to 1976. From 1976 to 1978, DeVoe led the Wyoming Cowboys basketball program.
From 1978 to 1989, DeVoe was the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team. In eleven seasons in Knoxville, he compiled a 204–137 record. DeVoe's Volunteers teams emphasized hustle, team play and man-to-man defense. He led the Volunteers to their first ever NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1981, where they lost to top-seeded Virginia Cavaliers
. In his final season in 1988–1989, he led the Vols to a 19–11 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In the aftermath of NCAA infractions that led the University of Florida to demand head coach Norm Sloan
's resignation before the start of the 1989–1990 season, DeVoe became the interim head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball
team. The Gators were a talented team beset by personality problems, and DeVoe later described his acceptance of the job on an interim basis as a "mistake" that left him without authority to fix the program's issues. He publicly clashed with the Gators' temperamental star center Dwayne Schintzius
, when DeVoe attempted to impose a new conditioning program and a measure of team discipline. Schintzius quit mid-season, ostensibly over DeVoe's demand that his player get a haircut, and the Gators finished 7–21 overall and 3–15 in the SEC. After he was let go by Florida, he was succeeded by Lon Kruger
.
DeVoe served as the head coach of the Navy Midshipmen men's basketball
team from 1992 to 2004. He led the Midshipmen to a 182–155 record, a 26–3 record against arch-rival Army, five Patriot League
regular season titles, three Patriot League tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament appearances in twelve seasons. DeVoe was named Patriot League Coach of the Year three times.
In his thirty-one season career as a college basketball head coach, DeVoe led led three different teams to the NCAA tournament, and posted an overall win-loss record of 512–389 (.568).
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach and former player. DeVoe played college basketball for Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, and later served as the head coach for Virginia Tech, the University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is a land-grant university located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains, at an elevation of 7,200 feet , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains. It is known as UW to people close to the university...
, the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
and the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
.
Early life and playing career
DeVoe grew up in the small town of Port William, OhioPort William, Ohio
Port William is a village in Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 258 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Port William is located at ....
. He attended Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, where he played for coach Fred Taylor's Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
team from 1962 to 1964. He was a member of the 1962 Buckeyes team that lost to the Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball
The Cincinnati Bearcats basketball team is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. They currently compete in the Big East Conference and are coached by Mick Cronin. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in...
in the final game of the NCAA Tournament, as well as the Buckeyes' Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
champion teams of 1963 and 1964.
Coaching career
DeVoe's Buckeyes teammates included Bobby KnightBobby Knight
-Indiana:When Indiana University was seeking a new coach in 1971, they turned to Knight. Knight was given the nickname "The General" by former University of Detroit and Detroit Pistons coach-turned-broadcaster Dick Vitale....
, under whom he served as an assistant coach, from 1965 to 1971, while Knight led the Army Black Knights men's basketball
Army Black Knights men's basketball
The Army Black Knights men's basketball team represents the United States Military Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college basketball. Army currently competes as a member of the Patriot League and plays its home games at Christl Arena in West Point, New York.Army is...
team. Knight left Army to become the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
team in 1971, and DeVoe was offered the head coach position at Virginia Tech.
While coaching the Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball
Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball
The Virginia Tech Hokies men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Home games are played at Cassell Coliseum, located on Virginia Tech's campus in Blacksburg.-History:...
team, DeVoe led the Hokies to a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) title in 1973, as well as an NCAA tournament appearance in 1976. Playing an independent schedule, DeVoe's Hokies compiled a 88–45 record in five seasons from 1971 to 1976. From 1976 to 1978, DeVoe led the Wyoming Cowboys basketball program.
From 1978 to 1989, DeVoe was the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team. In eleven seasons in Knoxville, he compiled a 204–137 record. DeVoe's Volunteers teams emphasized hustle, team play and man-to-man defense. He led the Volunteers to their first ever NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1981, where they lost to top-seeded Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball
The Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball program represents the University of Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the NCAA's Division I. The team is coached by Tony Bennett.-Statistics:-Retired numbers:-Retired jerseys:...
. In his final season in 1988–1989, he led the Vols to a 19–11 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
In the aftermath of NCAA infractions that led the University of Florida to demand head coach Norm Sloan
Norm Sloan
Norman Sloan , nicknamed "Stormin' Norman," was an American college basketball player and coach. Sloan played college basketball for North Carolina State University, and thereafter, he was the men's basketball head coach for Presbyterian College, The Citadel, the University of Florida and North...
's resignation before the start of the 1989–1990 season, DeVoe became the interim head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball
Florida Gators men's basketball
The Florida Gators men's basketball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of basketball. The Gators compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Southeastern Conference...
team. The Gators were a talented team beset by personality problems, and DeVoe later described his acceptance of the job on an interim basis as a "mistake" that left him without authority to fix the program's issues. He publicly clashed with the Gators' temperamental star center Dwayne Schintzius
Dwayne Schintzius
Dwayne Kenneth Schintzius is a former American college and professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Florida, and was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft...
, when DeVoe attempted to impose a new conditioning program and a measure of team discipline. Schintzius quit mid-season, ostensibly over DeVoe's demand that his player get a haircut, and the Gators finished 7–21 overall and 3–15 in the SEC. After he was let go by Florida, he was succeeded by Lon Kruger
Lon Kruger
Lon Kruger is an American college and professional basketball coach who is currently the men's basketball head coach of the University of Oklahoma. Kruger played college basketball for Kansas State University...
.
DeVoe served as the head coach of the Navy Midshipmen men's basketball
Navy Midshipmen men's basketball
The Navy Midshipmen men's basketball team represents the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland, in NCAA Division I college basketball...
team from 1992 to 2004. He led the Midshipmen to a 182–155 record, a 26–3 record against arch-rival Army, five Patriot League
Patriot League
The Patriot League is a college athletic conference which operates in the northeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I) for a number of sports; in football, it participates in the Football Championship Subdivision...
regular season titles, three Patriot League tournament titles, and three NCAA Tournament appearances in twelve seasons. DeVoe was named Patriot League Coach of the Year three times.
In his thirty-one season career as a college basketball head coach, DeVoe led led three different teams to the NCAA tournament, and posted an overall win-loss record of 512–389 (.568).
Personal
DeVoe and his wife Ana have two children—a son, Elliot, and a daughter, Analiese. He is currently a member of the NIT selection committee.Head coaching record
See also
- Florida GatorsFlorida GatorsThe Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
- List of Ohio State University people
- Navy MidshipmenNavy MidshipmenThe United States Naval Academy sponsors 30 varsity-sports teams and 12 club-sports teams . Both men's and women's teams are called Navy Midshipmen or "Mids"...
- Tennessee VolunteersTennessee VolunteersThe Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the National Collegiate Athletic Association college sports teams at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mike Hamilton is the most recent Men's Athletic Director, but resigned on June 7, 2011, and Joan Cronan is the current Women's...
- Virginia Tech HokiesVirginia Tech HokiesThe Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
- Wyoming CowboysWyoming CowboysWyoming Cowboys is the name given to the sports teams of the University of Wyoming. The women's teams use the name Cowgirls. The University is a member of the Mountain West Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 17 NCAA-sanctioned sports. Wrestling is the only varsity sport that is...