UCLA Football Preview: Eddie Robinson, Jr. Looks to Rebuild Alabama State
UCLA Football Preview: Eddie Robinson, Jr. Looks to Rebuild Alabama State
Robinson led the school to an HBCU National Championship in 1991 as a player.
Today, we begin our Week 2 previews with a look at the Alabama State coaching staff and special teams.
The Alabama State Hornets have not had a winning season since 2015. That was the first season that Brian Jenkins was the Hornets head coach. Since then, Alabama State has experienced six consecutive losing seasons. That led to the school’s second coaching change over that timeframe as well as the hiring of Eddie Robinson, Jr. as the school’s new head coach.
Despite the coincidences that his name indicates that his father is also named Eddie Robinson, that he was born in Louisiana, and that legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson also has a son named Eddie, the Hornets head coach is not related to one of the best coaches in college football history.
Robinson was an interesting choice for Bama State, mostly because he has no previous coaching experience. He has never even served as a position coach or as a coordinator. What he does have, however, is NFL experience as a player. Robinson played linebacker for eleven seasons with the Houston Oilers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Oilers/Titans and Buffalo Bills. In the NFL, he became known for his methodical preparation and attention to detail.
That is likely what earned him the job with the Hornets.
As a player at the collegiate level, Robinson led the Hornets to the 1991 HBCU National Championship.
So far, he has his alma mater off to a 2-0 start.
Harry Williams, Jr. is Robinson’s offensive coordinator who joined the Hornets from Morehouse College where he served in a similar capacity. Williams has previously coached at Prairie View A&M and Langston before Morehouse.
Believe it or not, Robinson is actually on his second defensive coordinator despite this being his first season as head coach. However, it doesn’t appear to be his fault. He originally hired Antone’ Sewell as his DC, but when his previous boss Damon Wilson took over Morgan State, Sewell left Bama State to go back to work for his friend.
As a result, Robinson promoted Ryan Lewis to defensive coordinator. Lewis had originally been hired to be the team’s special teams coordinator, but when Sewell left the Hornets in the middle of fall camp, Robinson turned to Lewis to run the defense.
Of course, this might be a matter where Robinson is really the guy running the defense, given his defensive background, but Lewis did previously serve as the defensive coordinator at Edward Waters College. Most recently, Lewis coached special teams and linebackers at Bethune-Cookman.
Alabama State Special Teams
Freshman Nathaniel Eichner will handle the kicking duties for the Hornets. So far this season, he has made his only field goal attempt from 29 yards while making five of six PAT tries. He is averaging 60.2 yards per kickoff as well.
Punter Aubrey Grace is in his third season with Alabama State. His punting average this season is 39.8 yards per punt and half of his eight punts have gone for fair catches.
Sophomore wide receiver Robert McMinn has returned three of the Hornets’ five punt returns this season while running back Santo Dunn and defensive back Rodney Echols, Jr. have each returned one. None of the Hornets have returned a punt for more than eleven yards.
Kickoff returns also seem to be handled by a committee of guys. McMinn is the leading kickoff returner so far, but he’s only returned two kicks for 41 yards. Graduate receiver Joshua Wright has returned two kickoffs as well. Wright has totaled 36 yards. Junior running back Dontrey Manley returned two kickoffs this past weekend for 12 yards and a long of 11 yards. Rhoody Jean-Louis added an 11-yard return last weekend while Dunn had a 10-yard return against Howard.
Go Bruins!!!
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While it is nice to pad the record with wins,, playing three non power five teams to start the season and then lowly Pac 12 Colorado is a piss poor approach to getting a team ready for conference play. Playing one, or even two scrimmages--OK. Then the Bruins should have been putting on their big boy pants and play a decent non conference team. Understand playing Colorado was mandated. Bad for the fans and bad for the team.