Former Millwood Coach Leodies Robinson Dies

The former coach started the Millwood football program and led the team to a 1990 state title.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:22 pm

By: News On 6


Originally Published: Nov 17, 2009 11:58 AM CDT

Gan Matthews and Dave Carty
Oklahoma Sports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- When you speak of Millwood High School football, the first name you must mention is Leodies Robinson. He founded the program and took it to the top, but sadly last night he passed away. He was 69 years old.

In 1990, Coach Leodies Robinson's Millwood Falcons captured the state 3A championship in football. It was a crowning achievement for Robinson, who started the Millwood program from scratch. Now, suddenly, he is gone.

Coach Robinson also taught math and Driver's Ed. And along the way he molded the lives of the students around him, but it wasn't just the students that remember him well.

Millwood basketball coach Varryl Franklin remembers Robinson as a mentor and friend.

"He was always there to help," said Franklin. "When I had problems in my life, and down, he was always right there."

Robinson started the Millwood football program in 1971 and served as head coach for 23 years. His career record was 196-71-3. In all, his Millwood teams won 18 District Championships and made 20 consecutive trips to the playoffs. In 1994 Robinson was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Off the field, Robinson served two years in the U.S. Army and was a graduate of Langston University.

All of Robinson's contributions reached their pinnacle this past September. That's when the Millwood football field was formally named for him. It was an honor long overdue.

"I think that this year the whole community realized how important he is to young men and all community members, based on his service here, the lives that he changed," Millwood Athletic Director Avery Gilleland said.

"He was like a big brother to me," said Franklin. "We're going to miss him."

Robinson is survived by his wife, Suzanne, and his two sons, Brian and Nathan.

Funeral services have been set for Monday, November 23 at 11 a.m. at the Cox Convention Center. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, make a tax-deductible donation to the Millwood Enrichment Foundation for the Leodies Robinson Memorial Fund.

For more information, contact Heritage Funeral Home at 405-424-5100.

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