Robinson Gets New Position at Grambling

Eddie Robinson, the winningest college football coach in history, is giving up duties as athletic director at Grambling to become vice president for athletic relations.

Grambling President Joseph Johnson said Thursday that Fred Hobdy, associate athletic director to Robinson for the last three years, will take over Robinson’s post.

Johnson said the change will take place some time “in mid-August.” He said that Robinson had requested the move and that it was not a demotion.

Grambling’s basketball program for men recently was placed on NCAA probation for one year because of what the NCAA called major, intentional violations of regulations despite the school’s diligent efforts to prevent violations.

Bob Hopkins, men’s head basketball coach for three years, resigned in June during the NCAA investigation.

Hobdy served as head basketball coach from 1957 to 1986.

Robinson, in 49 years at Grambling, has served as athletic director, head football coach, head basketball coach and baseball coach. His lifetime football record at Grambling stands at 329-109-15.

“We were in the process of planning this move before the basketball problems arose,” Johnson said.

“We had to free Coach Robinson’s hand to do some fund raising because he’s the man everybody wants to see,” he said.