Athletes - Eddie Robinson

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	Athletes - Eddie Robinson

Eddie Gay Robinson (not short for Edward) (born February 13, 1919 in Jackson, Louisiana) spent 56 years as the head college football coach at Grambling State University from 1942 until 1997. He was affectionately known as simply "Coach" throughout college football. During his tenure, he established himself as the winningest coach in college football history becoming the first coach to record 400 wins. (408 wins, 165 losses, 15 ties) Even during the era of segregation in the American South, his talent was praised by and influential upon many white coaches.

Robinson earned his Bachelor's Degree from Leland College in Baker, Louisiana, then went on to obtain his Masters Degree from the University of Iowa in 1954.

More than 200 of his players went on to play in the National Football League including Super Bowl XXII MVP quarterback Doug Williams, who would ultimately succeed Robinson as Grambling's head coach in 1998 following Robinson's retirement.

After several losing seasons in the 1990s, pressure was mounting for Robinson to resign. In 1997, as news escaped that Grambling was planning to dismiss him, public outcry — including condemnation from Louisiana elected officials — led Grambling to retain Robinson's services through the remainder of the season.

The Football Writers of America "Coach of the Year" award is named after Coach Robinson. Grambling also named their football stadium the Eddie Robinson Stadium.

Robinson is a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

Robinson lives in Grambling, Louisiana with his wife of 64 years, Doris. They have 2 children, 5 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. While some media has reported that Coach Robinson suffers from Alzheimer's disease, he has never been diagnosed by his doctors as having the disease.

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