by Clarence Thomas, Jr.
thomasjr63@gmail.com
MGI Contributor
Two years ago, Fort Valley State University Men’s Basketball Coach Montez Robinson took over a leaderless team mid-season that had gone 1-9 the previous year. Today he’s molding players into winners through motivational and mentoring techniques.
Robinson began rebooting the program on arrival. His goal was to shift the atmosphere from what it was at the time to a can-do culture. Administrative, Athletics, student body, and most of all player-by-in resulted in the team winning half of its games last year, finishing 14-14 in the regular season before ending with a 14–15-win loss record following post season play.
The 43-year-old Birmingham/Fairfield, AL native first committed to coaching at thirteen years old. As a young athlete, he says it showed him how it could change the trajectory of a young man’s life. Robinson overtime has worked in various capacities as a college coach. One of his most impressive stints was at Alcorn State University. The task there was so daunting that he was advised by several individuals to not take the position.
But where others saw a no-win situation, Robinson saw the chance to do something great. Accepting the challenge led to him producing a winning record three of the five seasons he was there. And a 100 percent graduation rate as head coach. “Every job may not be what it looks like. I saw that coaching job as an opportunity,” he said.
It seems Robinson becoming Fort Valley’s coach was destiny. Before accepting the position his contract at his previous school wasn’t renewed. His best friend died. COVID hit. All compelling the married father of two to settle on taking a breather. Along came the Wildcats though offering him the position three times. At the urging of what he describes as a loving, supporting wife, he eventually accepted it. “This is a ministry to me. I’ve always wanted to give back to young men in the way others gave to me,” he says.
To make a difference in his players’ lives Robinson employs various methods. It’s led to him being a listening advocate constantly educating and encouraging them on what matters on and off court. It takes on special meaning he says because it’s being done at a Historically Black College and University – where a share history and a homey environment make for easier to reach Black student-athletes. “Seeing these young men meet their goals is rewarding,” he shared. “Being able to pour positivity into them is a blessing.”
Robinson uses short acronyms as a tool. T.A.G.S. or Time, Accountability, Goals, and Service along with six C’s -concentrate, communicate, composure, compliment, compete, and consistency has been committed to memory by his team and translated into better play and the way they carry themselves daily when not donning uniforms.
FVSU Senior Jamal Reynolds of Jonesboro, GA is a beneficiary of the Robinson way. He says that building a bond with and between players is what his coach has brought to the program. “He wants us to be a family. To have one goal on and off the court. For him it’s not just about basketball, but being successful in life as well,” added Reynolds.
Renae Myles Payne, Ed.D. is Fort Valley’s Athletic Director. Like Reynolds she feels Robinson’s effort is bigger than ball. Since starting in March, the veteran athletic administrator has focused heavily on reorganizing and rebooting the school’s programs using her G.R.O.W.L. (Grit Respect Opportunity Winning Legacy) concept.
She also says Robinson is tailormade for the young men he’s in charge of. “Coach Robinson has what it takes to overcome the challenges associated with coaching men’s basketball. Today’s student-athletes want to win but want a relationship with their coach as well,” suggests Payne. “He’s meeting their athletic and personal needs.”
Getting the men’s basketball program on track is underway thanks to Robinson. Making the “Program Rejuvenator”, a nickname given to him by his spouse Leah, real. He admits that coaching is a great profession, but a tough business. But he’s up for the challenges he says. “We have the foundation at Fort Valley State to do some great things.”
