N.C. State Chooses East Tennessee State’s Les Robinson as Coach

Les Robinson, a former North Carolina State player, was named Monday to succeed Jim Valvano as the Wolfpack’s basketball coach.

Robinson, coach and athletic director at East Tennessee State, takes over a program that has been under scrutiny for nearly 1 1/2 years and still has another year of NCAA probation to serve.

His appointment came 16 days after Valvano was forced out when N.C. State officials agreed on a $500,000 settlement.

Last Friday, N.C. State named Todd Turner as its athletic director, a position Valvano was forced to give up last year after the basketball program was placed on two years’ NCAA probation when it was found that players sold complimentary tickets and sneakers.

Robinson, who signed a four-year contract at $95,000 per year, also faces trying to keep guard Chris Corchiani. After Valvano left, Corchiani said he would transfer, but he has yet to do so.

Despite all the problems, Robinson welcomes the opportunity.

“There is no other coaching job in the United States that I would rather have,” he said. “I don’t know how long they will want me here, but I’m going to be here until they run me off. This is a very, very exciting moment for me, one of the biggest days of my life.”

Valvano was under fire because of the poor academic records of his players. Robinson has coached 16 years and all but one of his players has graduated. He said the East Tennessee State team’s grade-point average increased from 1.5 to 2.5 after he took over in 1985, and he predicted similar results at N.C. State.

Other problems hounding N.C. State involve point-shaving allegations and former player Charles Shackleford, who admitted he took $65,000 from two men while still at the school.

Robinson, 47, is a 1965 N.C. State grad. He is the 16th head coach for the Wolfpack.