William Joseph (Will) Robinson

William Joseph (Will) Robinson

Detroit Miller High School Coach (1943 – 1959)
Detroit Pershing High School (1960 – 1971)
Detroit Pistons Scout (1976 – 2003)
Detroit Lions Scout (1951 – 1973)

Will Robinson was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina and as a child moved to Steubenville, Ohio where he played football, golf, baseball, basketball and track at Steubenville High School. As a quarterback he led his high school to an undefeated, unscored upon season as well as finishing second in the state golf tournament. He was the only person in state history to letter in five sports. He moved on to West Virginia State where he lettered in four sports. After earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Robinson moved to Detroit and accepted a basketball head coaching position at Detroit Miller High School for 16 seasons before moving on to Pershing High School for 12 seasons where he won state championships in 1967 and 1970. Robinson moved on to Illinois State as the head Basketball coach, the first African-American head coach in NCAA Division I and stayed for five seasons before retiring. He also served as a part-time scout for the Lions for 22 years and served as a scout for the Pistons for 27 years. Will Robinson was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. He passed away on April 28, 2008 at 96 years of age.