Robinson’s father worked as a sharecropper, and his mother as a domestic worker. He was able to earn a bachelor’s degree from Leland College and later added a master’s degree in 1954 from the University of Iowa.
The following year, Robinson coached Grambling State (where his career began in 1941 when the school was called the “Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute”) to a 10-0 record and the Black College Championship. Robinson’s Tigers outscored opponents 356-61 that season.
Robinson was 22 years old when he was hired and is credited with doing everything to get the program going, from fixing sandwiches for road trips where his players would not be served in restaurants, to taping sore joints.