US pioneer coach Robinson dies at 96

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

DETROIT, Michigan (AFP) — Will Robinson, the first black coach of a major US college basketball program and a long-time scout for the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, died Monday at age 96.

Robinson, who had been ill for more than a year, died at an area hospital.

In 1970, Robinson was hired to coach Illinois State, becoming the first black coach at any US Division I school. He served in the job for five seasons before joining the Pistons in 1976.

Robinson, who spent 26 years as a high school coach in Detroit area schools, served as a scout for the Pistons for almost 30 years and helped assemble to squad that won NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. He left the team in 2003.

"Will Robinson was truly one of the great legends in life," said...