Robinson to step down at Citadel

Former NCSU coach, AD earns 'break'

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Citadel athletic director Les Robinson plans to announce today that he will step down at the end of his eighth season leading Bulldogs athletics.

Robinson still plans to consult with the state-supported military school on fundraising efforts when his tenure ends after this academic year, Robinson said Thursday by telephone.

"I think it's time for me to take a break," Robinson said. "I think I've earned it."

Robinson said he will make a formal announcement today.

Robinson had been a basketball coach and assistant with The Citadel, then returned in 2000 after a 10-year run as N.C. State's basketball coach and AD.

Since his return to Charleston, Robinson has helped The Citadel calm long-standing, high-profile riffs with author Pat Conroy and paralyzed former Bulldogs linebacker Marc Buoniconti.

Robinson has worked to improve the financial standing of an athletic department that had to eliminate men's golf and men's soccer four years ago.

In 2007, Robinson donated $100,000 toward the continuing $30 million renovation to football's Johnson-Hagood Stadium.

A graduate of N.C. State, Robinson got his first head coaching job in college with The Citadel. His 1978-79 team went 20-7, the last time the Bulldogs have won 20 games in a season.

Robinson reached the NCAA Tournament twice in five seasons at East Tennessee State.

Robinson next returned to his alma mater of N.C. State as basketball coach, succeeding Jim Valvano in 1990-91. He went 78-98 in six seasons.

Robinson served as N.C. State's AD from 1996-2000 before returning to The Citadel, where Conroy, who has written best-sellers in "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides," had at times portrayed his alma mater in an unflattering light.

However, in the past decade the author and the school have made peace. Now Conroy, a former Citadel basketball player, often watches practices run by his cousin, Bulldogs coach Ed Conroy.

Also over is the schism between the school and Buoniconti, the former Citadel linebacker paralyzed after an on-field tackle at East Tennessee State in 1985.

Buoniconti sued the school in the following years, reaching a settlement for $800,000 with the college during the trial.

Buoniconti rarely appeared on campus after that. Two years ago, administrators decided to officially welcome back Buoniconti through the efforts of some of his former teammates. Buoniconti eventually had his No. 59 jersey retired at a halftime ceremony in 2006.

"That's what life's all about," Robinson said then. "Most people when they leave this earth would like to be on good terms with everyone."