Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 25, 1995 TAG: 9503270052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK
DATELINE: KANSAS CITY, MO. LENGTH: Medium
The Kansas assistant basketball coach and Virginia native didn't blink. He was on one bench in the NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal, won by Virginia 67-58. He just as easily could have been on the other.
Robinson, who went from Roanoke's William Fleming High to play at Ferrum and then Radford University, was offered an assistant coaching job at Virginia when Jeff Jones was elevated to the Cavaliers' boss.
At the time, he had just finished his second season as one of Roy Williams' aides at Kansas, having moved from Cornell. He'd previously been an assistant at Radford, too.
``Jeff and I had known each other for quite some time,'' Robinson said before the first Kansas-Virginia meeting in hoop history. ``It was a very inviting offer, close to home and family in Roanoke.
``I had even been an assistant coach at Albemarle High School for a year [1982-83], so I'd lived in Charlottesville and liked it, and I'd have been going to another of the best programs in the country.
``It was a tough decision, but I wanted to be loyal to Roy. He gave me the opportunity to come out here. I just couldn't see myself leaving.''
It's different now. After seven seasons as an assistant in one of the nation's premier programs, and trips to two of the past four Final Fours, Robinson feels he's ready to become a head coach. He'd like a Division I job, but that doesn't mean he's campaigning for one.
``I think I'm prepared now,'' said Robinson, 37. ``I think I'm ready to handle a head coaching job. As an assistant, you learn all about the game, but running a program is different.
``I feel like I'm ready to run my own now. A couple of years ago, I wouldn't or couldn't have said that.''
Robinson's name had been mentioned in connection with the vacancy at Southern Cal. But the Trojans on Friday gave interim head coach Charlie Parker full-time status. Robinson won't leave Kansas for any head coaching opportunity. If he isn't convinced it's a situation in which he can succeed, he'll stay with Williams.
``I spend a lot more time worrying about this job than I do thinking about what might happen in the future,'' Robinson said. ``If something's there, I'll investigate it, but I'm not out there promoting myself.
``I feel like when you're at a place like Kansas, people know who you are. The people who study the game have an idea who they think will fit the bill.
``You look at the programs that are successful year-in, year-out, and they're always having assistants move up. Maybe that's me.''
by CNB