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Will Robinson, 1st Black Coach in Division I, Dies at 96

Posted Apr 28, 08 11:21 PM CDT in Sports    Most Covered

(Newser) – Will Robinson, the first black basketball coach at a Division I school and a Detroit Pistons scout who discovered Joe Dumars and Dennis Rodman, died Monday. He was 96. Robinson died at a Detroit hospital, Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said. Robinson had been sick for 15 months and in a nursing home for more than a year, Dobek added.

Robinson broke a racial barrier in the 1970s when he coached Illinois State. He joined the Pistons as a scout in 1976, and the additions of Dumars and Rodman were keys to Detroit's 1989 and 1990 NBA championships.  "Will Robinson was truly a legend and will be missed dearly," Dumars said. "He was a huge inspiration for me and so many others. He was simply the best."

Source Associated Press

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A file photo from the early 1970s from Illinois State University shows ISU basketball coach Will Robinson coaching his team in Normal, Ill. Robinson was the first black coach of a Division I program.   (AP Photo/Illinois State University via The Pantagraph)
In this photo provided by the Detroit Pistons, Detroit basketball legend Will Robinson is shown in an undated photo. Robinson, who was the first black coach of a Division I college basketball program.   (AP Photo/Detroit Pistons)
In a photo provided by the Detroit Pistons, Isiah Thomas, President of the New York Knicks, left, stands with Detroit Basketball legend Will Robinson as he is honored by the Detroit Pistons.   (AP Photo/Detroit Pistons)
This 1975-76 handout provided by the Detroit Pistons shows Will Robinson. Robinson was the first black basketball coach at a Division I school and a Detroit Pistons scout.   (AP Photo/Detroit Pistons)
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