Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations
Years at Syracuse: 2005-present
College: University of Pittsburgh, 1978
Veteran coach and experienced administrator, Desmond Robinson assumed the duties of assistant athletics director for football operations in June, 2007 after serving as the Orange running backs coach since January, 2005. He is familiar with Eastern football. A 1978 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Robinson has coached at West Virginia University, the University of Connecticut and Dartmouth College. Robinson joined the Orange staff after serving as the head football coach and associate director of admissions at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn.
“Desmond has more than 25 years of coaching experience ranging from prep school, to college, to professional football. In addition to on-the-field coaching, he has been a recruiting coordinator in college, as well as a head coach at prep school. Desmond is well respected by the Syracuse Football Family and the Syracuse community," said head coach Greg Robinson.
Robinson owns coaching experience at the professional level with NFL Europe and in the intercollegiate ranks at Notre Dame, West Virginia, Tulane, Dartmouth, Connecticut and Pittsburgh.
Coaching Experience
• 2007-present Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations, Syracuse
• 2005-2006 Running Backs, Syracuse
• 2003-04 Head Coach and Associate Director of Admissions, Westminster School
• 2002 Defensive Line, Barcelona Dragons, NFL Europe
• 1997-2001 Running Backs, Notre Dame
• 1995-96 Running Backs, West Virginia
• 1992-95 Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line, Tulane
• 1991 Running Backs, West Virginia
• 1988-90 Defensive Line, West Virginia
• 1987-88 Inside Linebackers, Dartmouth
• 1982-87 Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Connecticut
• 1981-82 Graduate Assistant, Pittsburgh
Coaching Accomplishments
• At Syracuse, coached Delone Carter, a 2006 Sporting News Freshman All-American and Freshman All-BIG EAST selection, who was the first freshman to lead Syracuse in rushing (713 yards, 156 carries) since Joe Morris (1978). His 713 yards is the second-highest total by a freshman.
• 1988 West Virginia team finished the season ranked fifth nationally
Playing Accomplishments
• Three-year letter winner as a defensive end and linebacker at Pittsburgh
Championships and Bowl Games as a Player
• 1978 Tangerine Bowl, Pittsburgh
• 1977 Gator Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh
• 1976 National Champions and Sugar Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh
• 1975 Sun Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh
Championships and Bowl Games as a Coach
• 2001 Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame
• 1999 Gator Bowl, Notre Dame
• 1997 Independence Bowl, Notre Dame
• 1997 Gator Bowl, West Virginia
• 1989 Gator Bowl, West Virginia
• 1989 Fiesta Bowl, West Virginia
• 1983 Cotton Bowl, Pittsburgh
• 1982 Sugar Bowl Champions, Pittsburgh
Prominent Players Coached
• Syracuse: Damien Rhodes (NFL Europe)
• Notre Dame: Julius Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Autry Denson, school’s career leading rusher, Tony Fisher (Green Bay Packers), Joey Goodspeed (St. Louis Rams)
• West Virginia: Mike Fox (NFL Draft pick), Pat Marlett (NFL Draft pick), Chris Parker (All-American), Amos Zereoue (BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, WVU’s career rushing leader)
Personal
• Born September 29, 1956, in Atlanta, Ga.
• He and his wife, Pearlena, reside in Syracuse. They have a son, Jason, and a daughter, Ashley.
Education
• Graduate of West Fulton High School in Atlanta, Ga.
• University of Pittsburgh, (urban management), 1978