Robinson, first Div. I black coach, Pistons scout, dies at 96

Born in Wadesboro, N.C., Robinson quarterbacked the Steubenville (Ohio) High football team and finished second in the state high school golf tournament despite not being allowed to play the course at the same time as whites. He won 15 letters in four sports at West Virginia State College before graduating in 1937.

While scouting for the Lions, Robinson scoured black colleges in the South for talent. His finds included Jackson State cornerback Lem Barney, who went on to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

He coached the Illinois State basketball team from 1970-75 and had a 78-51 record without a losing season. His best player was Doug Collins, who was drafted by Philadelphia with the No. 1 overall pick in 1973.

"I'm incredibly sad that I lost a guy that I loved as much as anybody in the world," Collins said. "He taught me the essence of life that has served me well from the age of 18 to 56 because he was more of a life coach than a basketball coach."

In 2004, Robinson said he was sorry he didn't accept McCloskey's offer to coach the Pistons.

"I know I could have won championships with those teams. But after coaching for as long as I had, I found it a relief to not be coaching," he said then.

A viewing is scheduled in Detroit on Friday. After the funeral Saturday, a celebration of Robinson's life will be held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.