Robert Robinson Jr. resigned as Hammond High School's football coach Wednesday morning, a day after he was told by school administrators that his 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. 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."
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.
Messages for Hammond principal Linda Fullilove and athletic director Larry Moore Sr. were not immediately returned.
For more on this story, read Thursday's edition of The Times.









