Eddie Robinson Reinstated as NCAA Division I Wins Leader

Following NCAA sanctions which stripped former Penn State coach Joe Paterno of 111 wins earned from 1998 to 2011, Robinson of Louisiana’s Grambling State University has become the most winningest coach in college football history with 408 victories.

The NCAA handed down the sanctions following an investigation on the Penn State football program in light of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky’s conviction for child molestation.

In response to the Penn State sanctions and Eddie Robinson’s reinstatement as NCAA’s Division I all-time wins leader, Grambling University issued the following statement:

“The Grambling State University family continues to recognize that what happened at Penn State University was an unfortunate tragedy that is much larger than athletics and football,” said Grambling president Frank G. Pogue.

“We support the NCAA’s decisions regarding the sanctions against Football Coach Joe Paterno. We will continue to acknowledge the legendary Eddie G. Robinson as the winningest Division I football coach in American history.

Eddie Robinson, who passed away in 2007 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, coached at Grambling State for 57 years until his retirement in 1997.

With an overall record of 408-165-15, the iconic GSU coach recorded 45 winning seasons, including winning 17 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and nine black college football national championships.

While GSU supported the NCAA’s decision to strip Paterno of his victories, coach Robinson’s son Eddie Jr. spoke Monday on behalf of his family saying they disagreed with the judgement.

“My heart really goes out to the families of the victims and to Joe Paterno’s family, too. . . . To me, it’s a lose-lose situation.”