By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson and Coach Joe Redmond
As we chronicle the iconic HBCU coaches, one common denominator is becoming consistently apparent: men larger than life, innately intelligent, naturally competitive, leaders of young men, charismatic and great recruiters. Legendary coach Eddie Robinson possessed all of the above qualities and more.
Born on February 13, 1919 in Jackson, Louisiana, Coach Robinson died on April 3, 2007 from complications of Alzheimer’s. He spent his entire career at Grambling – 56 years – amassing an overall record of 408- 165-15 and building a small college dynasty in the era of segregation. His teams won 9 Black College titles while compiling a 9-6 bowl record. In l-AA playoff games he was 0-3.
After retiring in 1997, he was admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He received a bachelor’s from Leland College and master’s from Iowa. Coach Robinson’s long, distinguished career is unparalleled in the annals of college football.
My collaborator, Coach Joe Redmond, shared some timeless experiences with Coach Robinson. He first recalls as a 5’ 8” 145 lb. dual threat quarterback wanting desperately to play for Coach Robinson at Grambling. After graduating from high school, determined to fulfill his dream of playing quarterback for Coach Robinson, Coach Redmond, the diminutive, albeit confident, gifted athlete, found his way to Grambling, Louisiana intent on playing football there. I suppose another trait of great coaches is being honest with players. When Coach Robinson saw Joe, his precise words were: “Son, I have managers bigger than you.” Thus ended Coach Redmond’s dream. Later as ironic and implausible as it may seem, Coach Redmond had the opportunity to compete not for Coach Robinson but against him as the head coach at Texas Southern University in Houston, a game played in the Astrodome in front of 55,000 and that Texas Southern won, a most satisfying and exhilarating moment in Coach Redmond’s career.
When asked what impressed him most about Coach Eddie Robinson, Joe said he was bigger than life, respected by all in the football arena, especially SWAC coaches who had to compete against him. He recalls Coach Robinson in the early days when wins were difficult, there were always calls from impatient naysayers for change. However, President Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones expressed supreme confidence in him, “ Leave him alone; he’s going to be fine.” He often sat in the middle of campus with his lunch” engaging students and athletes alike, developing a trust and confidence that carried over to the field. On the bus to Grambling, Coach Redmond said he felt like a mosquito in a nudist camp based on the size of players intent on playing at Grambling. He had enormous success because he recruited athletes capable of executing his preferred offense, the Wing – T, which was predicated on running the ball first with play action passing deceptively deployed. And he was an outstanding judge of talent and character, allowing him to dominate the state just as Coach Gaither did in Florida. The SWAC coaches often called him “Black Jesus “ because of his leadership and character. His influence reached far and wide as former players became teachers, coaches, and administrators, giving him a leg up on recruits whose mentors were Grambling affiliated.” Some of the players who made a significant impact in pro football: Buch Buchanan (HOF), Willie Davis (HOF), Doug Williams, Charlie Joiner (HOF), Willie Brown (HOF), Tank Younger and Ernie Ladd. In 1942 he coached a Grambling team that was undefeated, untied, and unscored upon. One signature victory was Grambling’s mauling of Oregon State 23-6, tying him with Coach Bryant at 323. He broke the record with a 27-7 victory over Prairie View, giving him 324 wins, and propelling him to his eventual record setting 408 victories.
According to Super Bowl winning quarterback Doug Williams, Coach Rob’s victories were tougher than anybody else’s. The key wasn’t so much Division I or Division II. His was the tougher job because of the times. There was no practice equipment. They were playing on sand. They couldn’t even stay in town when they travelled. But Coach Robinson saw obstacles as opportunities, making it easier for people from all walks of life to accept his humanitarian approach and philosophy: Not allowing race to stop him from achieving his goals.
Doug’s faith and belief in Coach Robinson is as prevalent today as when he played for him.
Though in some circles there was a reluctance to recognize his achievements, Coach Eddie Robinson for several years stood as the winningest football coach in the country, spending his entire career – 56 years – at Grambling State. He retired in 1997 with 408 wins, surpassing the legendary Paul “ Bear “ Bryant in 1984. Over 200 student/athletes who had the privilege of playing for Coach Robinson played in the NFL, four as previously noted, were honored with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The FCS Championship subdivision, formerly known as Division l-AA, named the Coach of the Year Award in his honor. He also led Grambling to 17 SWAC Championships and is a member of t
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