Leonard Skinner, Accidental Rock 'n Roll Icon Richard Lawson · 09/20/10 03:39PM Skinner, a Florida gym teacher who, in the 1960s, harshly cracked down on long hair and other hippieisms, died today. Skinner inspired a group of rebellious students to rename their band after him, calling it Lynyrd Skynyrd. Skinner was 77.