Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Robinson gone, what next for Onate boys hoops

Richard Robinson has been a mainstay on the sideline of high school boys basketball at Onate High School. He coached for 13 years as the main voice and his best year was 2002 when the team finished second in Class 4A.

Robinson has been involved in high school basketball as a coach for 29 years. He also played at Hobbs High School and collegiately at New Mexico State, where is the school's sixth all-time leading scorer.

So it couldn't have been easy for him to step down as the head coach. He coached the team through three team camps in June and he seemed to be his usual self. Maybe it was just time for him to step down and do something different with his life, which he is doing at a charter school here in Cruces.

Robinson did some good things at OHS and he defintely had some intersting squads with the likes of Kelsey Crooks, Thomas Trotter, Willie Hamilton and Kevin Moore.

Robinson is leaving behind a decent bunch at Onate High School. Last season, the team qualifed for the Class 5A state tournament for the first time and returns several key players from that team. Robinson said Tuesday he firmly believes next year's team could be a top eight performer in New Mexico in 5A.

Now the attention moves to who will replace Robinson. Onate must act quickly. I'm sure there will be interest. One name that could pop up mighth be former Las Cruces High and Silver High boys coach Mike Carr. Plus, there might be some top assistant coaches from area high schools that might be interested in landing a head coaching job. It should be interesting.

Felix

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a casual Onate fan, I'll throw a name out there to chew on...

Matt Abney.

Onate wouldn't miss a step with him. Might even gain a step.

Anonymous said...

Coach Robinson is a class act. The basketball program and the school will miss him.

Anonymous said...

Think El Paso, MR. D will bring in a friend. Think Harper.

Anonymous said...

If Onate can get Dr. Terry Adler away from Mesilla Valley Christian School, he would take that squad to a 5A state championship.

Anonymous said...

There's a lot of talent at Onate, and a lot of them aren't even on the basketball team.
Hope the new coach reaches out to these kids and gets 'em on the team.

Anonymous said...

Lets not forget about the most passionate, competitive, and loyal coach out there.... Assistant Head Varsity coach at Gadsden High, Saul Perez!!! Would he come down if given the opportunity???

Anonymous said...

ron geyer would be a great choice for that school.

Anonymous said...

Bring in a legend Dexter Hawkins.

Anonymous said...

Ron Geyer is a snake!!

Anonymous said...

Geyer will never leave the situation he has and the Harper that retired from Montwood will be the coach.

Anonymous said...

that snake wins and that is what that school needs is to win. that school hasnt won consistently since 1990's ever since melendrez ran everyone off.

Anonymous said...

A Test of Basketball Sense:

Ron Geyer played for Tony Harper.
Ron Geyer coached under Mike Harper. Saul Perez played for Ron Geyer. Saul Perez coaches under Mike Harper...Need I say more? Ok, they all win.

Anonymous said...

It's high time Robinson leaves!!!!!! Several quality bball players with great talent have been discarded by Robinson. Hope the new blood gives these boys a chance to show what they have!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Saul Perez would be a great choice for Onate. He's young, energetic and has done a fantastic job at Gadsden for the past 7 years. Onate would be very fortunate to get him.

Anonymous said...

William Benjamin is an assistant coach at Las Cruces high school who has done a great job working under Mike Smith for the past 10 years. Maybe give him an opportunity to turn things around up there.

Anonymous said...

There is a guy over in Deming too, think he coached boy's when they were in our district.They beat us and Alamo. He moved over to the girls though, at least I think he did. They played for the state 4A title a few years ago?? Don't know his name??

Anonymous said...

I don't care I'm a year late but I want to post my comments anyways.

I say good riddance to him. I was there at Onate as a student hell I was there when he first started to coach boys basketball in Onate.

He maybe a class act at some people but he is a real jackass. Let me rephrase it he is a real asshole to me. If I ever see him again I got something say to him that I have something to get off my chest.

I want to get this straight I am not a troublemaker when I was in school. So I want to clarify that because I am not like that and still not that kind of a person.