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Dave Robbins (basketball)

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For other people named David Robbins, see David Robbins (disambiguation).
Dave Robbins
Robbins (right) speaking with an official
Biographical details
Born (1942-09-10) September 10, 1942 (age 82)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1978–2008Virginia Union
Head coaching record
Overall713–194
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 NCAA Division II (1980, 1992, 2005)
14 CIAA (1979, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991–1995, 1998, 2004–2006)
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2012

David Robbins (born September 10, 1942) is a retired American basketball coach. Robbins is best known for coaching at NCAA Division II power Virginia Union University, where he won 713 games and three NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament titles. Out of all NCAA coaches who have won more than 700 wins, Robbins is the second winningest coach with a winning percentage of 0.786 (713 wins, 194 losses). He is second only to Adolph Rupp who had a winning percentage of 0.822. Jerry Tarkanian, Dean Smith, Steve Moore, Roy Williams, Bill Self, Mike Krzyzewski, John Calipari, and Bo Ryan make up the remaining top ten. Seven out of 10 of those coaches have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Robbins, Moore, and Ryan have not.

Robbins announced his retirement on April 15, 2008.[1] He is a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2012.

Early life

Robbins grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina and played football, basketball, and ran track at Ashley High School. He was recruited to play basketball at Catawba College, but also played football and ran track.[2] Robbins coached at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia where he led his 1975 team to the AAA State Championship prior to moving to Virginia Union University in 1978.

College coaching career

Robbins began coaching the Virginia Union Panthers in 1978, becoming the first white head coach in the history of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), a conference consisting of Historically black colleges and universities. His hiring was highly controversial as many saw the hiring of a white coach as taking away opportunities from African-American candidates.[3]

During his 30-year career, Robbins led his teams to a record of 713-194 and three NCAA Division II National Championships in 1980, 1992 and 2005. His teams won 14 CIAA championships and garnered 21 NCAA tournament appearances.[4] During his time at VUU, Robbins produced four Division II players of the year, eight Consensus first team All-Americans,[5] and five NBA players: Ben Wallace, Charles Oakley, Terry Davis, AJ English, and Jamie Waller.

Robbins officially retired on April 15, 2008, turning the program over to long-time assistant Willard Coker.[6]

Legacy

Robbins is a member of the Catawba College, Virginia Union University, CIAA, Thomas Jefferson High School, and Gaston County (NC) Halls of Fame. In 2010, Robbins was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2012, Robbins was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.[7] In 2017, Robbins was inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame. Most recently in April 2022, Robbins was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Va. Union's Robbins to step down". Richmond Times-Dispatch. April 14, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  2. ^ "Robbins retired and relieved". Gaston Gazette. June 24, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Always a cut above". Richmond Times-Dispatch. April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  4. ^ "The Dave Robbins file". Richmond Times-Dispatch. April 15, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  5. ^ 2009 NCAA men's basketball record book
  6. ^ "Coker replaces Robbins at VUU". Richmond Times-Dispatch. April 15, 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  7. ^ "College Hall of Fame selects VUU's Dave Robbins". Richmond Times-Dispatch. March 7, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
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