Here's To You, Coach Robinson

He coached a small black college out of a small town in Louisiana. That college has turned out many a NFL star, and his coaching career spanned 57 years. His record was 408 wins, 165 losses, and 15 ties. His career spanned also 11 US presidencies, several wars- from World War II to the conflict in Eastern Europe. And until recently, he was the winningest football coach in college football.

Eddie Gay Robinson began coaching in 1941 at Grambling State, which was at the time called Louisiana Negro and Industrial Institute (the school itself was founded 106 years ago as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School). That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris, who survives him. During World War II, the football program was put on hold, so Robinson coached at Grambling High. He brought the school a state championship.

When he resumed coaching at Grambling State, the school received national notoriety when running back Paul "Tank" Younger signed with the LA Rams, and became the first black player to enter the NFL. Over the years, NFL scouts would go to Grambling- southeast of Shreveport- to recruit players.

The roster is long, and illustrious- Willie Davis; James Harris; Doug Williams, Willie Brown; and many others. In all, over 200 who played under Robinson went on to play in the NFL, CFL (Canadian Football League), and the now-defunct USFL.

Coach Robinson retired after the 1997 season, where he had two straight losing seasons, and was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease. But to many, he was- and will always be affectionately- known as 'Coach Robinson'.

Eddie Robinson died Tuesday night, at 88. In addition to being survived by Doris, he is also survived by son Eddie Robinson, Jr; daughter Lilian Rose Robinson; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

ESPN has a moving tribute to him. Go to this link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2825016, and watch the video.

In many ways, Robinson defined what college football coaching should be- a compassionate, yet hard driving job. Where men are truly made. Coach Robinson never talked down to his men. He never let his fame get to him, and he made sure that his players knew that they had responsibilities- on and off the field- to be the best they can be.

May the current coach, Rod Broadway, continue Coach Robinson's legacy, and keep the Grambling State Tigers an illustrious and high respected team, bringing Grambling State University the respect that it so richly deserves.

Coach Robinson, you have fought the hard fight. You came out on top in everything you put your hand on. You are very much loved, and very muour players ch respected. Most of all, you are what college football should be- a game that brings out the best in those who play the game. You taught your players that the game is more than just what is played on the football field. You taught them about life, and responsibility. About their place in the world. You taught your players- and us all- how to be better than ourselves. For this, we so gratefully thank you.

Take your rest, Coach. You will be sorely missed, but your spirit will always be in our hearts.


Grambling Tigers/YouTube/ABC Sports

Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.