Even In Defeat, Robinson Goes Out On A High Note Grambling’s Legendary Coach Sees His 56-Year Career End

Eddie Robinson ended his 56-year career with a loss, tears, cheers and a call from the president of the United States.

“This is a day I’ll never forget,” the 78-year-old Robinson, who has won more games than any coach in college football, said.

Marcus Jacoby threw three touchdown passes as Southern University beat Grambling State 30-7 in the Bayou Classic, but not even another loss could dim the celebration of Robinson’s remarkable career.

President Clinton called to congratulate Robinson.

“I’ll remember this forever coming from you,” Robinson told Clinton. “We’re so pleased you paused to look at the game.”

Long after the game ended a throng of admirers surrounded Robinson, who sobbed openly.

“We love you Eddie,” fans called from the stands.

“You’re our hero, coach Rob,” others yelled.

Robinson, who started at Grambling in 1941, finished with a 408-165-15 record. His teams have won or shared 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and eight black college national championships.

“These 56 years I’ve been about the happiest man in the world, coaching the best athletes in the world,” Robinson said. “Coaching is the most rewarding profession and no man is too good to coach America’s youth.”

A half century ago, before Robinson put the town and the university on the map, most Americans had never heard of Grambling, La. In fact, most Louisiana residents didn’t know where the tiny town was.

On Saturday, better than 64,000 fans and a national TV audience watched as the man who has won more games than any college coach walk the sidelines for the final time.

Grambling (3-8, 2-5) completed its third straight losing season for the first time ever and matched the worst record in Robinson’s career.

Both Southern and Grambling fans stood and cheered when Robinson, surrounded by photographers, took the field. They chanted “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie,” when he and his wife of 57 years, Doris, were honored at halftime.

“This is really beyond my imagination,” Robinson said. “But I know anything is possible here in America.”

Robinson, who started the athletic department at Grambling and built the football program in the days when black players were excluded from many white colleges, had many of his former players on hand.

“If I could just play three downs for him today, my heart would be overjoyed,” former Grambling star Ernie Ladd told the team before the game. “Because I know what he’s meant to guys like Buck Buchanan, Rosey Taylor and hundreds of other players.”

Ladd, who played eight years in the NFL, was one of 210 players Grambling sent on to the pros. They included four members of the Hall of Fame and Doug Williams, who quarterbacked the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl victory.