COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Grambling’s Robinson Gets Victory No. 400 : Milestone: Wild celebration engulfs 76-year-old coach after 42-6 victory over Mississippi Valley State.

Coach Eddie Robinson did what was expected Saturday--coaching Grambling State to an easy victory over Mississippi Valley State for his 400th career triumph, then proclaiming himself proud to be an American, and crying.

“I cry more than most people,” Robinson said after the 42-6 victory. “For a person like me, today has to be a great moment. It could only happen in America.”

As the game ended, the landmark victory was greeted with balloons, fireworks and dancing on the field in Robinson Stadium.

President Bill Clinton and Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards both called to congratulate the 76-year-old Robinson, the first coach to reach the 400-victory mark.

His teams have lost 145 games and there have been 15 ties, but Robinson has had only five losing seasons while coaching Grambling for 53 years.

“When I got up this morning, I was sort of scared,” Robinson said. “I went to sleep on the projector last night because the offensive coordinator and I had some problems to work out.”

By the time John Miller ran 13 yards for the final touchdown with 32 seconds left in the Southwestern Athletic Conference game, photographers, fans and players had surrounded Robinson on the sideline.

Fans and players, even some Mississippi Valley players, hugged and celebrated as balloons were released and fireworks spelled out “Congratulations Coach Robinson 400 Wins,” and burst above the field.

The Grambling band formed the No. 400 on the field as fans and players stayed in the stands and on the field cheering the coach who was hired in 1941.

A group tore down part of the goal post before the stadium announcer asked them not to destroy it. Players brought back the post that was broken off.

Mississippi Valley (0-5) also was the team Grambling (3-2) beat for Robinson’s 200th victory in 1971.

“We did not want to make history,” Mississippi Valley coach Larry Dorsey said. “We wanted to delay history.”

Robinson passed former Alabama coach Bear Bryant’s 323-victory mark almost exactly 10 years earlier--on Oct. 5, 1985 to become the winningest coach in college football.

In the second quarter, Grambling got its offense going, scoring three touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead at the half.

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ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES

With wins, losses and percentage

NBA: Lenny Wilkens (968-814, .543)

Baseball: Connie Mack (3,731-3,948, .486)

NCAA Basketball: Adolph Rupp (876-190, .822)

NCAA Football: Eddie Robinson (400-145, .734)

NHL: Scotty Bowman (913-421, .656)

NFL: Don Shula (323-149, .684)