Don DeVoe

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Don DeVoe

| image = Don Devoe, 1972.png

| caption = DeVoe, {{Circa|1972}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1941|12|31|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Sabina, Ohio, U.S.

| player_years1 = 1962–1964

| player_team1 = Ohio State

| coach_years1 = 1965–1970

| coach_team1 = Army (assistant)

| coach_years2 = 1970–1971

| coach_team2 = Ohio State (GA)

| coach_years3 = 1971–1976

| coach_team3 = Virginia Tech

| coach_years4 = 1976–1978

| coach_team4 = Wyoming

| coach_years5 = 1978–1989

| coach_team5 = Tennessee

| coach_years6 = 1989–1990

| coach_team6 = Florida

| coach_years7 = 1992–2004

| coach_team7 = Navy

| overall_record = 512–389

| tournament_record = 5–9 (NCAA Division I)
10–3 (NIT)

| championships = NIT (1973)
SEC tournament (1979)
SEC regular season (1982)
5 Patriot League regular season (1994, 1996–1998, 2000)
3 Patriot League tournament (1994, 1997, 1998)

| awards = 3× SEC Coach of the Year (1979, 1981, 1982)
3× Patriot League Coach of the Year (1994, 1997, 2000)

}}

Donald Eugene DeVoe (born December 31, 1941) is an American former 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 United States Naval Academy.

Early life and playing career

Born in Sabina, Ohio, DeVoe grew up in the small town of Port William, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he played for coach Fred Taylor's Ohio State Buckeyes 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.{{cite web|title=Don DeVoe |url=http://navysports.com/sports/mbball/bio.asp?PLAYER_ID=2015 |publisher=Navy Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030710020648/http://navysports.com/sports/mbball/bio.asp?PLAYER_ID=2015 |archive-date=July 10, 2003 |access-date=October 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Coaching career

DeVoe's Buckeyes teammates included Bob Knight, under whom he served as an assistant coach, from 1965 to 1970, while Knight led the Army Black Knights men's basketball team.Alexander Wolff, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103230311/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1120212/2/index.htm Look Who's Gone Forth And Multiplied]," Sports Illustrated (November 20, 1985). Retrieved February 7, 2011. At that time, DeVoe served as a graduate assistant at Ohio State University for the 1970–71 season. After a season with Ohio State, DeVoe became the head coach for 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,{{cite news |last1=Putnam |first1=Pat |title=Who's afraid of Virginia Tech |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1973/04/02/618019/whos-afraid-of-virginia-tech |newspaper=Vault |access-date=19 February 2019}} as well as an NCAA tournament appearance in 1976. Playing an independent schedule, DeVoe's Hokies compiled an 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.Ralph Wiley, "[https://archive.today/20121203012044/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126161/index.htm Tennessee]," Sports Illustrated (November 29, 1982). Retrieved February 7, 2011.Ralph Wiley, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100314153153/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126218/index.htm He's a Formidable Forward]," Sports Illustrated (December 13, 1982). Retrieved February 7, 2011. 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 at Tennessee in 1988–89, he led the Vols to a 19–11 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.Mike Bianchi, "[https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2010/03/11/two-decades-later-don-devoe-has-a-message-for-cancer-stricken-dwayne-schintzius/ Two decades later, Don DeVoe has a message for cancer-stricken Dwayne Schintzius]," Orlando Sentinel (March 11, 2010). Retrieved April 17, 2012.

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 1989–90 season,Associated Press, "[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/01/sports/sports-people-college-basketball-florida-coach-retires-at-school-s-request.html?src=pm Florida Coach Retires At School's Request]," The New York Times (November 1, 1989). Retrieved February 8, 2011. DeVoe became the interim head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team shortly after retiring as head coach of Tennessee.William F. Reed, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103230330/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069117/index.htm SEC]," Sports Illustrated (November 20, 1989). Retrieved February 7, 2011. 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 more serious 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.William F. Reed, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103230345/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069216/index.htm College Report]," Sports Illustrated (December 11, 1989). Retrieved February 7, 2011. Schintzius quit mid-season, ostensibly over DeVoe's demand that he 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 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 three children: Donna Lee, Elliott and AnaLise. He is currently a member of the NIT selection committee.

Head coaching record

{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Virginia Tech Gobblers

| conference = NCAA University Division / Division I independent

| startyear = 1971

| endyear = 1976

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1971–72

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 16–10

| conference =

| confstanding =

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = postseason

| season = 1972–73

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 22–5

| conference =

| confstanding =

| postseason = NIT champion

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1973–74

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 13–13

| conference =

| confstanding =

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1974–75

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 16–10

| conference =

| confstanding =

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1975–76

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 21–7

| conference =

| confstanding =

| postseason = NCAA Division I First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Virginia Tech

| overall = 88–45

| confrecord =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Wyoming Cowboys

| conference = Western Athletic Conference

| startyear = 1976

| endyear = 1978

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1976–77

| name = Wyoming

| overall = 17–10

| conference = 8–6

| confstanding = T–3rd

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1977–78

| name = Wyoming

| overall = 12–15

| conference = 3–11

| confstanding = 7th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Wyoming

| overall = 29–25

| confrecord = 11–17

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Tennessee Volunteers

| conference = Southeastern Conference

| startyear = 1978

| endyear = 1989

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference tournament

| season = 1978–79

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 21–12

| conference = 12–6

| confstanding = 2nd

| postseason = NCAA Division I Second Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1979–80

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 18–11

| conference = 12–6

| confstanding = T–3rd

| postseason = NCAA Division I Second Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1980–81

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 21–8

| conference = 12–6

| confstanding = 3rd

| postseason = NCAA Division I Sweet 16

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| season = 1981–82

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 20–10

| conference = 13–5

| confstanding = T–1st

| postseason = NCAA Division I Second Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1982–83

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 20–12

| conference = 9–9

| confstanding = T–4th

| postseason = NCAA Division I Second Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1983–84

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 21–14

| conference = 9–9

| confstanding = 6th

| postseason = NIT Quarterfinal

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1984–85

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 22–15

| conference = 8–10

| confstanding = T–8th

| postseason = NIT Third Place

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1985–86

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 12–16

| conference = 5–13

| confstanding = 8th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1986–87

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 14–15

| conference = 7–11

| confstanding = T–9th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1987–88

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 16–13

| conference = 9–9

| confstanding = 6th

| postseason = NIT First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1988–89

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 19–11

| conference = 11–7

| confstanding = T–4th

| postseason = NCAA Division I First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Tennessee

| overall = 204–137

| confrecord = 107–91

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Florida Gators

| conference = Southeastern Conference

| startyear = 1989

| endyear = 1990

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1989–90

| name = Florida

| overall = 7–21

| conference = 3–15

| confstanding = 10th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Florida

| overall = 7–21

| confrecord = 3–15

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Navy Midshipmen

| conference = Patriot League

| startyear = 1992

| endyear = 2004

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1992–93

| name = Navy

| overall = 8–19

| conference = 5–9

| confstanding = 5th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = confboth

| season = 1993–94

| name = Navy

| overall = 17–13

| conference = 9–5

| confstanding = T–1st

| postseason = NCAA Division I First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1994–95

| name = Navy

| overall = 20–9

| conference = 10–4

| confstanding = 3rd

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| season = 1995–96

| name = Navy

| overall = 15–12

| conference = 9–3

| confstanding = T–1st

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = confboth

| season = 1996–97

| name = Navy

| overall = 20–9

| conference = 10–2

| confstanding = 1st

| postseason = NCAA Division I First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = confboth

| season = 1997–98

| name = Navy

| overall = 19–11

| conference = 10–2

| confstanding = T–1st

| postseason = NCAA Division I First Round

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 1998–99

| name = Navy

| overall = 20–7

| conference = 9–3

| confstanding = 2nd

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| season = 1999–00

| name = Navy

| overall = 23–6

| conference = 11–1

| confstanding = T–1st

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 2000–01

| name = Navy

| overall = 19–12

| conference = 9–3

| confstanding = 2nd

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 2001–02

| name = Navy

| overall = 10–20

| conference = 5–9

| confstanding = 7th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 2002–03

| name = Navy

| overall = 8–20

| conference = 4–10

| confstanding = 7th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Entry

| season = 2003–04

| name = Navy

| overall = 5–23

| conference = 2–12

| confstanding = 8th

| postseason =

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Navy

| overall = 184–161

| confrecord = 93–63

}}

{{CBB Yearly Record End

| overall = 512–389

}}

References

Bibliography

Dortch, Chris, [https://books.google.com/books?id=o00slzvQkUMC&q=Tommy+Bartlett&pg=PA89 String Music: Inside the Rise of SEC Basketball], Brassey's, Inc., Dulles, Virginia (2002). {{ISBN|1-57488-439-5}}.
Koss, Bill, Pond Birds: Gator Basketball, The Whole Story From The Inside, Fast Break Press, Gainesville, Florida (1996). {{ISBN|978-0-8130-1523-1}}.

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Category:1941 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's basketball coaches

Category:Army Black Knights men's basketball coaches

Category:Basketball players from Ohio

Category:Florida Gators men's basketball coaches

Category:Navy Midshipmen men's basketball coaches

Category:Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball players

Category:People from Clinton County, Ohio