Texas Tech University Athletics
Kingsbury Tabs Robinson to Lead Texas Tech's Special Teams
January 04, 2016 | Football
Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury added Joe Robinson to his coaching staff on Monday. Robinson, who spent the previous four seasons at South Carolina, will oversee Texas Tech's special teams.
Jan. 4, 2016
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced Monday the hiring of Joe Robinson as special teams coordinator. Robinson previously served in a similar capacity at the University of South Carolina.
"We are extremely excited to add Coach Robinson to our staff," Kingsbury said. "Every year, his special teams are among the best in the nation. He will provide invaluable expertise to not only our special teams but our overall team."
Joe Robinson arrives at Texas Tech following four seasons at South Carolina.
In his four seasons in Columbia, Robinson produced several strong special teams units for a South Carolina program that recorded a pair of 11-win seasons and three bowl appearances during his tenure.
"My family and I are so excited about coming home to West Texas," said Robinson, the 2010 Football Scoop Special Teams Coordinator of the Year. "I am very impressed with Coach Kingsbury and the direction he is taking this program. It's been a dream of mine to coach at Texas Tech and we are so thrilled for this opportunity."
South Carolina ranked among the national leaders in several special teams categories during Robinson's final season in 2015, finishing seventh in net punting, 24th in kickoff return defense and 30th in kickoff returns. The Gamecocks previously ranked ninth nationally in 2012 for punt returns and 18th for punt return defense.
During Robinson's first year, Ace Sanders set a school record for punt return yards in a season while earning second team All-America honors and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year accolades. Pharoh Cooper also earned Freshman All-SEC honors under Robinson in 2013 as a return specialist.
Prior to joining the staff at South Carolina, Robinson spent one season as the defensive line coach at the University of North Carolina (2011) and three years coaching the defensive line and specials teams at LSU (2008-10).
Robinson earned his acclaim as a top special teams coordinator while at LSU. In 2010. LSU finished in the top 13 nationally that year in net punting, kickoff return average and punt return average en route to a trip to the Cotton Bowl.
Kliff Kingsbury
Robinson has coached a variety of position during his coaching career, including defensive line, special teams, linebackers and running backs, He also has experience as a recruiting coordinator at both Southern Miss (1992-98) and Louisiana Tech (1989-91; 2001).
This will be Robinson's second job inside the state of Texas as he spent the 2002 season at the University of Houston. He has also held coaching positions at Central Florida (2003) and Arizona (2004-07).
Robinson, a 1985 graduate of LSU, began his coaching career in the high school ranks in 1986 as an assistant coach at Catholic High School in Louisiana. He was promoted to head coach the following season and then spent the 1988 season as the defensive coordinator at Bastrop High School (La.).
Robinson and his wife, Abby, are the parents to three daughters – Alexandra, Madeline and Valerie.
ROBINSON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2012-15 – South Carolina Assistant Coach
2011 – North Carolina Assistant Coach
2008-10 – LSU Assistant Coach
2004-07 – Arizona Assistant Coach
2003 – UCF Assistant Coach
2002 – Houston Assistant Coach
2001 – Louisiana Tech Assistant Coach
1992-98 – Southern Miss Assistant Coach
1989-91 – Louisiana Tech Assistant Coach
1988 – Bastrop (La.) H.S. Assistant Coach
1987 – Catholic H.S. (La.) Head Coach
1986 – Catholic H.S. (La.) Assistant Coach
