Tongue-in-cheek inspiration to Lynyrd Skynyrd dies at 77

[Racerbvd]

A Sad day in town...

Tongue-in-cheek inspiration to Lynyrd Skynyrd dies at 77
Leonard Skinner, the no-nonsense, flat-topped basketball coach and gym teacher whose name is forever linked with Jacksonville’s legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep early Monday morning. He was 77.

Tongue-in-cheek inspiration to Lynyrd Skynyrd dies at 77 | jacksonville.com

[GH85Carrera]

One of my favorite bands.

[nostatic]

My version of him was Homer "Buck" Garrett. Ex-military gym coach in Jr. HS. Forever remember him yelling, "come on, suit up and get your butts out there dudes!" with his southern accent.

God speed. Sadly Leonard outlived much of the band

[williecoyote]

He was the legend behind the legend.
May he rest in peace.

[Racerbvd]

My Mother Graduated from Lee in 1955, a few years after Skinner, but my Cousin Billy, he grew up with the Van-Zants (their family plot is near ours) and has the best stories and pictures.. I grew to like the music, as I wasn't a fan when I was younger, it was only after working with some of the surviving members and getting to know them, did I start listening.

[GH85Carrera]

I saw the original band when they played in Birmingham Alabama. I was one of the many in the croud screaming "Freebird".

[URY914]

I thought he would have been older than 77.

I got my first album of thiers for Christmas 1975.

[nota]

I had the dude as a gym coach in 8th grade in 64 in coral gables
real up tight ex marine fitness nut type
the next year he had gone north to jax to inflict himself on the boys
not a forgetable person