Robinson resigns as Hammond High's football coach

Third-year coach cites concerns about discipline as cause

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buy this photo TIMES FILE PHOTO Robert Robinson Jr. was 22-11 in three seasons as Hammond High's football coach.

As first reported on nwi.com, Robert Robinson Jr. resigned as Hammond High School's football coach Wednesday, a day after he was told by school administrators that his coaching contract would not be renewed.

In his first head coaching job, Robinson had three winning seasons with the Wildcats since taking control of the program in 2007. Hammond's 2009 season came to an end last week with a 35-6 loss against Hobart in a Class 4A Sectional 9 semifinal.

Robinson, who compiled a record of 22-11 at Hammond, said administrators told him they were not satisfied with the way he disciplined his players.

"They felt like there was a lack of discipline, and they felt like they wanted to go in a different direction," Robinson said. "So basically my coaching philosophy and their ideas just didn't quite mesh.

"The only thing I feel I'm guilty of is maybe being a little too nice and trying to give everybody more of an opportunity to play. I had some people ask me, 'Well, why is this guy on your team? He's a jerk.' Maybe I felt like I could change some people, and I kept people around because really ultimately it comes down to being for the kids. ... I didn't want to be another guy who just kind of gave up on somebody. I thought I could change some people, and ultimately that did end up costing me in the end."

When reached by phone Wednesday night, Hammond athletic director Larry Moore Sr. declined to comment. A message for Hammond principal Linda Fullilove was not returned.

Robinson said he plans to continue teaching physical education at Hammond for at least the remainder of the school year. He said he will not return as the Wildcats' baseball coach, either, and he plans to pursue football coaching positions at other schools.

PREP FOOTBALL

Hammond's year-by-year record with Robert Robinson Jr. as head coach

2009: 6-5

2008: 7-4

2007: 9-2

Total: 22-11

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