Men's Basketball

Steve Robinson

UNC assistant coach

Age: 45

Hired by University of Kansas, 2002

Radford, 1981

Steve Robinson's Odds
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2002-2003 — Kansas, Assistant Coach
1998-2002 — Florida State, Head Coach
1995-97 — Tulsa, Head Coach
1988-95 — Kansas, Assistant Coach
1986-88 — Cornell, Assistant Coach
1983-86 — Radford, Assistant Coach

COACHING HONORS
1997 Western Athletic Conference's Mountain Divison Coach of the Year
1997 Missouri Valley Conference Championship

EDUCATION
Radford, B.A. 1981
Radford, M.A. 1985

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
1977-78 Ferrum Junior College
1977-78 Radford University

PERSONAL
Born Oct. 29, 1957, in Roanoke, Va.
Wife: Lisa
Children: Shauna, Kiaya, Tarron, Denzel

COACHING HISTORY

1988 — Cornell

• NCAA First Round.

1989-95 — Kansas

• NCAA Tournament appearances (1992, 1994, 1995).
• NCAA Tournament Second Round (1990).
• NCAA Tournament Final Four (1991, 1933).

1995-97 — Tulsa

• NCAA Tournament (1996).
• NCAA Tournament Second Round (1997).

1998 — Florida State

• NCAA Tournament Second Round.

2003 — Kansas
• NCAA Tournament Finalists.

ASSISTANT COACHING RECORD
Radford
1983-84      17-10 (.630)
1984-85      16-12 (.571)
1985-86      11-17 (.393)

Cornell
1986-87      15-11 (.577)
1987-88      17-10 (.630)

Kansas
1988-89      19-12 (.613)
1989-90      30-5 (.857)
1990-91      27-8 (.771)
1991-92      27-5 (.844)
1992-93      29-7 (.806)
1993-94      27-8 (.771)
1994-95      25-6 (.806)
2002-03      30-8 (.789)

HEAD COACHING RECORD
Tulsa
1995-96      22-8 (.733)
1996-97      24-10 (.706)

Florida State
1997-98      18-14 (.563)
1998-99      13-17 (.433)
1999-2000   12-17 (.414)
2000-01      9-21 (.300)
BIOGRAPHY:

Robinson, who was an assistant on Roy Williams' first coaching staff, returned to Kansas after two years as head coach at Tulsa (1996-1997) and five seasons at the helm of Florida State (1998-2002). He replaced Neil Dougherty, who left the Jayhawks to coach Texas Christian University.

In his time at FSU, Robinson led the Seminoles to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first year. While at Tulsa, Robinson coached the Golden Hurricane went 46-18 with two appearances in the NCAA Tournament in two seasons.

• Two-time assistant coach at KU under Roy Williams.
Before joining the Jayhawks the first time, Robinson spent three years as an aide at Radford, his alma mater, and two seasons as an assistant coach at Cornell.

Robinson played basketball for two years at Ferrum Junior College before transfering to Radford, where he was the school's first recipient of an athletic scholarship. He was the team captain in both of his seasons at Radford before earning his bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1981 and a master's degree in counseling in 1985.

Another candidate with ties to current Jayhawks, but his lackluster showing at Florida State may keep the Jayhawks from hiring him.
The Robinson coaching resume includes 14 winning seasons, 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, an average of more than 18 wins per season and, just as importantly, numerous academic all-conference and honor roll selections for his players.

Robinson's tenure at Florida State has seen competitive teams, an NCAA Tournament appearance, success against nationally ranked teams and players who have gone on to be successful when their basketball career ended. He led the Seminoles to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first season at Florida State (1998) and has directed the Seminoles to numerous victories over nationally ranked teams. In 1999, Robinson led the Seminoles to a victory over then No. 21 and Final Four participant North Carolina. In 2001, Florida State repeated the feat as Robinson guided the Seminoles to a victory over then No. 17-ranked and Final Four participant Maryland.

While at Tulsa, Robinson posted consecutive 20-win seasons and guided the Golden Hurricane to the NCAA Tournament both years. His first season at the school produced a 22-8 record, the school's first Missouri Valley Conference tournament title in 11 years and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Robinson became only the second Tulsa coach to take the program to the NCAA Tournament in his first year.

Robinson Took Tulsa to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season in 1997 as the Golden Hurricane fashioned a 24-10 record. The 24 wins was the second most in school history. For his efforts, Robinson was the Coach of the Year in the WAC's Mountain Division.

• * Robinson: Return 'should be interesting' (12-11-02)
• * Robinson back on Kansas bench (8-10-02)

Robinson's words were backed up by his accomplishments at his previous coaching posts. His players at Tulsa enjoyed sensational academic success. Five of his Golden Hurricane players earned a grade point average of better than 3.0 each semester during his tenure at Tulsa. During his second season at Tulsa, two members of the starting lineup earned 4.0 grade point averages and team overall team GPA was 2.84. Michael Ruffin, a standout player on the court earned Academic All-America honors and earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

Robinson's players at Tulsa also excelled on the court. In addition to Academic All-America honors, Ruffin was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Western Athletic Conference. He is currently enjoying in his third season as a member of the Chicago Bulls. In addition, Robinson coached Eric Coley, an all-conference selection in the WAC, and Shea Seals who is the all-time leading scorer in Tulsa history. Seals played for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Robinson was also responsible for recruiting Marcel Boyce, who led Tulsa to the NIT championship in 2001 and current Seminole Michael Joiner, who was named to the ACC All-Rookie team in 2001.

Robinson's coaching star began to shine during his seven years as an assistant to Roy Williams at the University of Kansas.

Robinson helped build the Jayhawks into one of the nation's most dominant college basketball programs. While Robinson was at Kansas, the program averaged 26 wins a season while making six trips to the NCAA Tournament. Kansas advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament during the 1991 and 1993 seasons. In addition, Kansas won four Big Eight Conference titles while Robinson was on the sideline.

In addition to his coaching duties at Kansas, Robinson served as the basketball program's academic counselor. During that time, nine Jayhawk players were named to the Big Eight All-Academic team and 37 recorded grade point averages of 3.0 or better. Prior to joining Williams at Kansas, Robinson served as an assistant coach for two years at Cornell. The Big Red was 15-11 in 1987 and 17-10 in 1988. The 1987-88 Cornell team earned the school's first NCAA Tournament berth in 34 years.

Robinson began his coaching career at Lincoln (Pa.) University where he spent the 1981-82 season. A one-year stint at Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, Va. followed during the 1982-83 season. He then returned to his alma mater, Radford University, for three seasons as an assistant coach (1983-85).


—Courtesy of Florida State University