BREAKING: Florida Gators Basketball Head coach Send. crystal Clear Part Ways Message To a High Rated Player Concerning His Off Attent…
In a decisive move underscoring the University of Florida’s commitment to discipline and team integrity, head basketball coach Don DeVoe announced the departure of star center Dwayne Schintzius from the Gators program in January 1990. Schintzius, a junior at the time, had been a pivotal player for the Gators, leading them to their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season championship in the 1988–89 season.
Schintzius’s tenure with the Gators was marked by both on-court success and off-court controversies. He occasionally clashed with Coach Norm Sloan and was involved in several incidents, including a suspension during his junior year for violating the student code of conduct. The situation escalated after Sloan’s resignation, when interim coach Don DeVoe imposed strict conditions for Schintzius’s return, including behavioral expectations and altering his distinctive “lobster” hairstyle. Feeling these demands were unreasonable, Schintzius chose to leave the team, stating, “If you can play for Coach Sloan, you can play for almost anyone, almost anyone.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges programs face in balancing individual talent with adherence to team values and discipline.
