University of Houston Athletics
Robinson Joins Cougar Staff
3/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 14, 2002
University of Houston head football coach Dana Dimel today announced the hiring of Joe Robinson as the Cougars Special Teams Coach. Robinson replaced former linebackers coach Cornell Jackson who resigned last month to take a similar position at the University of Washington.
Dimel also announced some positional changes on his staff, as Eric Wolford gives up his special teams and running backs responsibilities and moves over to defense to coach the defensive line. Co-defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas will now coach linebackers, while Theron Aych moves from tight ends to running backs. Graduate assistant Greg Centilli will pick Aych's former duties with the tight ends.
Robinson comes to Houston from Louisiana Tech, where he spent the last two seasons as the Bulldogs Running Backs Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. Last season Robinson helped Tech win the Western Athletic Conference title and a berth in the Humanitarian Bowl. The potent Bulldog offense was eighth in the nation in passing offense, 17th in scoring offense and 29th in total offense.
"Joe is one of the best in the nation in his field," commented Dimel. "He will focus strictly on special teams for us, and this could be the difference in winning football games this fall."
A veteran of 11 years of Division I-A coaching, Robinson spent seven seasons at the University of Southern Mississippi prior to his appointment at Louisiana Tech. At Southern Miss Robinson crafted his niche in special teams, where he served as the coordinator the final three seasons coaching the Golden Eagles. While at the Conference USA foe, Robinson's special teams were ranked in the Top Ten nationally in net punting (1998), kickoff returns (1995-96) and punt returns (1996). As a matter of fact, his kickoff returns finished number one in the nation in 1997.
Robinson coached several positions at Southern Miss, including defensive line (1992-93), linebackers (1994-96) as well as serving at the recruiting coordinator from 1993 until 1999. He helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 1997 Liberty Bowl and the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl. Robinson also coached Eric Booth, who was the 1997 annual kickoff return champion and ended his career ranked number two in NCAA history in kickoff return average.
While at Louisiana Tech in the early 90s, Robinson also proved his abilities as a defensive coach. In 1991 the Bulldogs ranked as one of the top defenses in the country, allowing only 100.5 rushing yards a game that ranked number eight in the country.
The previous year at Tech, Robinson helped lead the Bulldogs to an 8-3 mark and an Independence Bowl berth that saw Tech tie Maryland, 34-34.
Prior to his collegiate experience, Robinson spent three seasons working with two Louisiana high school programs. In 1988 he was the defensive coordinator at Bastrop High School, while serving as the head coach and defensive coordinator at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee in New Roads, La., in 1986-87. Robinson also served as the powerlifting coach for both schools, leading the programs to state titles.
Robinson earned his bachelor's degree in education from LSU in 1985 and his master's degree in education from Southern Miss in 1993. Robinson is married to the former Abigail Lee, who coached high school basketball in Louisiana for years. The couple has three daughters: Alexandra Anne (8), Madeline Alaine (6) and Valerie Francis (3).
-UHcougars.com-
