Robinson Joins Private Club With 400th Career Victory

Coach Eddie Robinson reached his milestone 400th victory Saturday, setting off a huge celebration as Grambling defeated Mississippi Valley State 42-6.

As the game ended, the landmark victory was greeted with balloons, fireworks and dancing on the field in Robinson Stadium.

President Bill Clinton and Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards both called to congratulate the 76-year-old Robinson, the first coach ever to hit the 400-victory mark. His teams have lost 145 games and there have been 15 ties, but Robinson has had just five losing seasons while coaching Grambling for 53 years.

Robinson passed former Alabama coach Bear Bryant’s 323-victory mark almost exactly 10 years earlier - on Oct. 5, 1985 to become the winningest coach in college football. He moved ahead of Amos Alonzo Stagg’s third-place record of 314 in 1984.

Jason Bratton ran for touchdowns of 17 and 1 yards and by the time John Miller ran 13 yards for the final touchdown, with 32 seconds left in the game, photographers, fans and players surrounded Robinson.