University of Minnesota Athletics
J ROBINSON NAMED NWCA COACH OF THE YEAR
5/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Robinson guided the Maroon and Gold grapplers to the school's first NCAA wrestling title in record-setting fashion. Minnesota won the national crown utilizing a full-team effort to earn an NCAA-record 10 All-Americans. It was the first time in the 71-year history of the NCAA Championships that 10 wrestlers earned the prestigious All-American honor in one NCAA tournament. In addition, no team in the history of the national tournament had won the team title without a finalist, but Gold Country captured the national crown despite not placing a wrestler in the championship matches.
Minnesota finished the 2000-01 season as the number one ranked dual team with a 19-1 record and won titles at Midlands, National Duals and the Big Ten Championships. Robinson's team also excelled off the mat as they placed three wrestlers on the NWCA All-Academic Team.
During his 15-year tenure at Minnesota, Robinson has a 219-81-3 (.728) overall record and a mark of 74-41-2 (.641) in Big Ten dual meets. Under his watch, 32 wrestlers have earned 56 All-America honors and 11 Golden Gophers have won 17 Big Ten individual titles.
"J Robinson has produced tremendous results in all areas of Minnesota's program, topped off by a thrilling NCAA Team Championship this year," said NWCA President Roger Reina. "Congratulations are in order on behalf of the NWCA Board of Directors."
Robinson will be honored at the NWCA Convention in Chicago, Ill., on August 11, and at the 2002 NCAA Championships banquet in Albany, N.Y.
