Feb. 16, 2011

Former Texas Southern coach Candy Robinson dies

Candy Robinson, head coach at Texas Southern for 19 seasons, passed away on Feb. 15 after a long battle with cancer.

Robinson led the Tigers from 1989-2008, registering 332 victories. He guided TSU to a pair of SWAC championships and its first two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004, 2008). In 2004, the Tigers knocked off defending national champion Rice in the regionals.

Robinson was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2008. His teams made 12 conference tournament appearances.

His outstanding players included 2005 SWAC Pitcher of the Year Brandon Strickland, 2007 SWAC Freshman of the Year Kyle Smith, and all-conference performers in Isaac Daniels, Herman Coachman, JD Stewart, Alph Coleman and David Bell.

Robinson was an All-American pitcher at Grambling State in 1965. He was drafted and signed by the Boston Red Sox and spent several years in professional baseball.

For the past two years, Robinson was the Director of Baseball Operations at Texas Southern. He is survived by his wife, Sara, and their two daughters, Ariel and Candace.

(photos courtesy of TSU Media Relations Office)