Daytona State College to Drop Swimming Program Two Years After Lochte Leaves

Don Gibb, the head coach of the Daytona State College men’s and women’s swim teams, emailed several of his colleagues this morning to inform them that the school would be dropping their swimming program, sources tell us.

Daytona State College is a junior college located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and became best-known when their head coach was one Steve Lochte, father of one of the world’s best swimmers Ryan Lochte. Mid-season in the 2010-2011 academic year, the elder Lochte was surprisingly “reassigned” after an internal investigation into the team.

The situation got ugly thereafter; Scott Bay was named as the interim head coach, but lasted only a few days before resigning over a practice boycott by members of the team. Gibb was finally able to stabilize the program in the 2011-2012 season, where both the men’s and women’s programs finished 2nd at the NJCAA National Championships (behind in-state rivals Indian River).

That included several JuCo national champions, like Ashly Isaacson in the women’s 100 free (50.55) and their 800 free relay (7:30.23). This program was a big feeder into NCAA Division I swimming, including Isaacson who is now at Florida International.

We have reached out to both the school and coach Gibb for comment, but those requests were not immediately returned. Members of the team tell us that the Athletics Director has said that the team will finish out the spring term.

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Harry D
11 years ago

Oh really? I haven’t seen her on FIU’s roster. Wonder why…?

Previous Daytona state athlete
Reply to  Harry D
10 years ago

That’s because she’s at LSU now…..how bout them apples. Don’t know the truth, don’t say anything.

Anonymous
Reply to  Previous Daytona state athlete
10 years ago

She actually isn’t at LSU now either, wonder why?…..

Mike Tyson
11 years ago

Hard to justify keeping a team around that refuses to follow the rules.

Daytona State Swimmer
Reply to  Mike Tyson
11 years ago

We follow the rules and we are diciplined, who are you to justify, do you watch our every move, NO!!!!!

Victor
Reply to  Mike Tyson
11 years ago

You should have more information about the case before you jump to these conclusions. The team is going to be disbanded due to budget cuts and reduced enrollment. As James said, they are going to add a womens volleyball team. I am assuming this is due to title 9 adaption, since I know for a fact that the swim team is cut because of budget cuts and not disciplinary issues.

Ivan Lambert
Reply to  Mike Tyson
11 years ago

Hello “Mike Tyson”,
I find it perplexing that one would make an accusation against another’s character [in this case, Head Coach, Don Gibb], while hiding, not supplying your actual identity.
So tell us “Mike”, your accusation is based upon what data? Who are your sources?

Do you know anything or don’t you?
If you do, man-up and quit hiding behind your pseudonym “Mike “Tyson”.
If you don’t possess any substantive data/ sources, you are simply a cowardly sniper.

Again, if you don’t have anything, perhaps you should read the all-time top ten list which at #9 contains this message:
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor”.

James P
11 years ago

They say its because of funding, but they add volleyball?

James P
11 years ago

Ridiculous.

Concerned Parent
11 years ago

They struggle to keep students eligible there. Waste of money for the school.

Don Gibb supporter
Reply to  Concerned Parent
11 years ago

I am a student there on the swim swim team and it is the students responsibility to be eligible for grades not the coaches.

Jeff Wise
Reply to  Don Gibb supporter
11 years ago

As a swim coach and the Coaches Rep on the BOD of Florida Swimming I hope that Daytona re-evaluates their decision to drop men and women swimming. Not only does it effect the current athletes/students, it effects future opportunities for younger student/athletes. Administrations never look at the effect this will have on young student/athletes. It is always the bottom line. We need to help keep our young more active and sports are a way to keep them physically fit and helps clear the mind for higher learning. Therfore more enrollment of student athletes will increase your student base and build a better future for the entire country. Please re-evaluate your colleges opportunities to help build a better future.
Jeff Wise

Noah Beck
11 years ago

Any idea if this was a decision driven by funding, discipline or something else?

Coachsid
11 years ago

This is a damn shame … Don Gibb is an excellent coach… Sorry to learn for all involved

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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