DEI Spotlight: Minority Coaches Association Member Vincent Robinson
Vincent Robinson is the associate head coach at Miles College and is a member of the Minority Coaches Association
1. Why did you get into coaching?
I got into coaching to make a change in my community. So many student athletes in my neighborhood were getting shot and killed, joined gangs and a host of other negative things. Coaching was one way that I could make a change in the community and bring back hope and pride to my town.
2. How many years have you been coaching?
I've been coaching 22 years on all levels middle school, high school, prep school, post grad and collegiately.
3. Who has been your biggest influence in coaching and why?
I've had 2 people who were huge contributors to my development as a coach. Brian Crawford has had the most influence on me as a coach. he has guided my career and he always ask me questions to make me better. I would not have success without him as my mentor. The other person who has had a tremendous impact on my coaching career is Alif Muhammad. He gave me the opportunity to be a head coach and athletic director at NIA Prep. I was able to make mistakes as a coach and athletic director and he never once questioned anything. Without his dedication and him believing in my vision for NIA Prep I would not have the experience as a head coach and athletic director.
4. What do you enjoy most about coaching and why?
What I enjoy most about coaching is watching the student athletes develop into men. I've coached kids that no one believed in and fostered those personal relationships which continue today. I enjoy talking to the student athletes about things going on at home and in their personal life. That's how you really get to know the student athlete. Its so much bigger than basketball and all my players know I care about them as a person and not just a basketball player. When the ball stops bouncing we still had the personal relationship that continues.
5. What has been one of the greatest lessons you have learned about life through coaching? Please explain.
One of the greatest lessons that I've learned about life thru basketball is enjoy the moment as tomorrow is not promised. To many times we dont just sit back and enjoy the simple things in life conversation, a smile, a simple hello. I've learned as a leader the student athletes look up to you and follow your lead. I try to teach them about life and just to be a genuine person.
6. What is your ultimate goal in coaching?
My ultimate goal as a coach is to become a head coach at an HBCU. My ultimate career goal is to become an athletic director at an HBCU.
7. What has been your greatest lesson as a coach during the pandemic?
The greatest lesson I've learned as a coach during the pandemic is to take nothing for granted. So many people lost family members, friends and co-workers during this pandemic. This pandemic made me get into my faith more and spend more time with my family. As coaches we sometimes get caught up in our careers but this pandemic allowed me to take a step back and embrace life at a slower pace.
8. What has been one of the toughest lessons you have learned through coaching. Please explain.
One of the toughest lessons I've learned thru coaching is that as a prep school coach everyone was always available when I called. Now as their peer I notice when I call those same coaches they dont pick up the phone. It only showed me that the relationship wasn't genuine. It was based off of my ability to supply them with players.
9. As a minority coach, what do you feel has been the biggest challenge for minority coaches in the profession?
As a minority coach I feel the biggest challenge in the profession is breaking down the barriers of discrimination. There are so many qualified minority candidates for coaching jobs on all levels but most of those jobs get filled by recycled coaches. Most non minority coaches hire the minority coaches as recruiters never as the X and O person. They want you to recruit and the other non minority coaches on staff are allowed to do X's and O's, interviews on campus etc. I was always taught by Brian Crawford as a head coach your job is to prepare your assistant coaches to become head coaches.
10. Tell us something about yourself that people would be surprised to know about you.
Something that people would be surprised to know about me is that I love Lifetime movies.