Kansas head women’s basketball coach Bonnie Henrickson announced the hiring of assistant coach Shay Robinson Sunday. Robinson replaces Terry Nooner, who took a similar position at Alabama.
Robinson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy, which was fitting since he served more than eight years on active duty in the Air Force. While enlisted, he deployed on numerous tours of duty, including three tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, spending time as a Weapons Load Crew member on F-16s, as well as Special Operations Senior Command Post Controller.
"We are excited to add Shay to the staff," Henrickson said. "He will bring tremendous energy, national recruiting contacts, a background in player development and a strong work ethic as a result of his military background. He will work with our perimeter players and with his player development background we are looking forward to the ideas that he will bring to our program."
Prior to his arrival at the Academy in 2011, Robinson served for five years as the assistant director and head instructor at EDGE Training Facility in Orlando, known as the premier training facility in the state of Florida. In conjunction with former Boston Celtic Dee Brown, Robinson managed daily basketball operations while performing individual and team skill development sessions, camps and clinics. His vast clientele ranged from beginning players to elite high school, college and professional athletes in the NBA and European Leagues.
A native of Greensboro, N.C., Robinson has also been active as a coach in the past several years, most recently coaching the girls’ basketball team at Viera High School during the 2010-11 season, helping the squad win its first district championship while posting a 22-3 overall record. Robinson also served as an assistant coach with the boys’ varsity program at Viera from 2006-09.
"Being from North Carolina, I grew up around the game of basketball," Robinson said. "One of the programs that I had the utmost respect for was Kansas and now to think that my career has manifested to the point where I will be walking on the campus and in the storied halls at the University of Kansas is humbling. I’m really looking forward to getting to work alongside Bonnie, Mo (Mahogany Green) and Katie (O’Connor) as quickly as possible."
During the 2009-10 season, Robinson served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Brevard Community College. There, he was in charge of guard and post player development, while assisting with offensive and defensive philosophies. Other responsibilities included recruiting, team film sessions, scouting, academic monitoring and mentorship of student athletes.
Robinson graduated from James B. Dudley High School before enlisting in the Air Force in 1996. During his military career, Robinson received various medals and was awarded the distinguished John Levitow Award in 2002. He was also named Air Force Special Operations Command, Command Post Controller of the Year in 2002-03, before his honorable discharge in 2004.
In August 2007, Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Fitness with a Specialization in Coaching Theory from the University of Central Florida. He also holds a Master of Science in Athletic Administration from Nova Southeastern University (2010).
Robinson is an active member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) organization.
Robinson is married to Tonya, who is also an Air Force veteran.
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