- Sep 8, 2014
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Good read on Christian Robinson:
College football's rising stars: The 30Under30 for 2019
College football's rising stars: The 30Under30 for 2019
(from the article):
Christian Robinson, Florida, Linebackers Coach (29): One of the SEC’s youngest assistants, Robinson served for five years as a GA before earning his first on-field role at Florida in 2018. Robinson is a long-time disciple of Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who coached Robinson at Georgia. Robinson is one of the better recruiters in the SEC, and he helped Vosean Joseph to career highs across the board before the Bills took him in the fifth round.
SPOTLIGHT: Christian Robinson, from in-flux to future star
Robinson sat in coaching limbo after a two-year stint as a GA at Georgia, his alma mater.
The Bulldogs’ defensive coaching staff turned over in 2014 following defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s departure to Louisville, which left Robinson without a role. He had no history with the team’s new defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, which meant his two-year coaching journey may’ve come to an end.
Robinson remembers thinking at the time, “I don’t know if this is for me.” His college roommate, Ty Frix, started a company and hired Robinson, for basically free rent, to run his social media arm. Three months later Robinson prepared to sign a contract with a Nashville-based company within the same space. The day before he did so, however, Ole Miss called. The Rebels wanted him as a GA.
“It was that close,” Robinson told 247Sports. “It was a day away.”
Less than half a decade later, Robinson, 29, is entering his second season as Florida’s linebacker coach. He’s among the youngest assistants in the SEC and is a member of 247Sports’ 30Under300 list.
Considered a strong recruiter and a gifted football strategist, Robinson is among the brightest young stars in college football coaching circles. But the 2015 offseason wasn’t the only time Robinson found himself with little clarity as to his future.
Two offseasons ago, Florida hired Dan Mullen away from Mississippi State, and Mullen took Grantham, by that time the Bulldogs’ DC, with him. Robinson, still a GA at the time, stayed in Starkville through the TaxSlayer Bowl. Robinson didn’t plan to stay in Starkville under a new regime, so he was again out of a job.
Robinson did what he’d done many times in his journey: Threw his stuff into a duffle bag and drove.
Robinson hoped Grantham would give him a call for a job with the Gators, so he took a risk. He dropped his stuff off in Gainesville in a storage locker and then drove to Tampa Bay to stay with his girlfriend. Robinson waited a week and a half before he heard anything. Sitting in the car during his girlfriend’s hair appointment, his phone lit up: Dan Mullen.
“That night I drove to Gainesville,” Robinson said. “I spent about five years living out of a car on and off. As a GA it’s about who’s going to give me an opportunity.”
After five years Robinson has his chance. The Gators were better for it in 2018. Robinson’s pupil, Vosean Joseph, was drafted and he assisted in a turnaround that saw Florida go from 73rd in yards allowed per play in 2016 to 33rd last season.
Robinson hopes to one day be a coordinator or a head coach. He’s told Mullen and Grantham as much. For now, he hopes to stay in Florida for a “long time” learning and growing. — Chris Hummer
College football's rising stars: The 30Under30 for 2019
College football's rising stars: The 30Under30 for 2019
(from the article):
Christian Robinson, Florida, Linebackers Coach (29): One of the SEC’s youngest assistants, Robinson served for five years as a GA before earning his first on-field role at Florida in 2018. Robinson is a long-time disciple of Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, who coached Robinson at Georgia. Robinson is one of the better recruiters in the SEC, and he helped Vosean Joseph to career highs across the board before the Bills took him in the fifth round.
SPOTLIGHT: Christian Robinson, from in-flux to future star
Robinson sat in coaching limbo after a two-year stint as a GA at Georgia, his alma mater.
The Bulldogs’ defensive coaching staff turned over in 2014 following defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s departure to Louisville, which left Robinson without a role. He had no history with the team’s new defensive coordinator, Jeremy Pruitt, which meant his two-year coaching journey may’ve come to an end.
Robinson remembers thinking at the time, “I don’t know if this is for me.” His college roommate, Ty Frix, started a company and hired Robinson, for basically free rent, to run his social media arm. Three months later Robinson prepared to sign a contract with a Nashville-based company within the same space. The day before he did so, however, Ole Miss called. The Rebels wanted him as a GA.
“It was that close,” Robinson told 247Sports. “It was a day away.”
Less than half a decade later, Robinson, 29, is entering his second season as Florida’s linebacker coach. He’s among the youngest assistants in the SEC and is a member of 247Sports’ 30Under300 list.
Considered a strong recruiter and a gifted football strategist, Robinson is among the brightest young stars in college football coaching circles. But the 2015 offseason wasn’t the only time Robinson found himself with little clarity as to his future.
Two offseasons ago, Florida hired Dan Mullen away from Mississippi State, and Mullen took Grantham, by that time the Bulldogs’ DC, with him. Robinson, still a GA at the time, stayed in Starkville through the TaxSlayer Bowl. Robinson didn’t plan to stay in Starkville under a new regime, so he was again out of a job.
Robinson did what he’d done many times in his journey: Threw his stuff into a duffle bag and drove.
Robinson hoped Grantham would give him a call for a job with the Gators, so he took a risk. He dropped his stuff off in Gainesville in a storage locker and then drove to Tampa Bay to stay with his girlfriend. Robinson waited a week and a half before he heard anything. Sitting in the car during his girlfriend’s hair appointment, his phone lit up: Dan Mullen.
“That night I drove to Gainesville,” Robinson said. “I spent about five years living out of a car on and off. As a GA it’s about who’s going to give me an opportunity.”
After five years Robinson has his chance. The Gators were better for it in 2018. Robinson’s pupil, Vosean Joseph, was drafted and he assisted in a turnaround that saw Florida go from 73rd in yards allowed per play in 2016 to 33rd last season.
Robinson hopes to one day be a coordinator or a head coach. He’s told Mullen and Grantham as much. For now, he hopes to stay in Florida for a “long time” learning and growing. — Chris Hummer
