Retirement didn’t last long for a member of Tommy Lloyd’s original coaching staff at Arizona
Ex-Wildcat assistant coach Steve Robinson is returning to college basketball for a 43rd season, joining the program at Elon as a special assistant to head coach Billy Taylor.
The 68-year-old Robinson was at the UA from 2021-25, coming to Tucson after 18 seasons at North Carolina where he was part of national championship staffs in 2005, 2009 and 2017. He also had two stints as an assistant at Kansas bookending his head coaching career, which saw him at Tulsa (1995-97) and Florida State (1997-2002).
Robinson announced his retirement in April 2025 after 42 years coaching in college basketball. At the time Lloyd praised Robinson for taking a chance on being part of Lloyd’s first staff as a head coach.
“From the first day, he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience that few coaches in the country have,” Lloyd said. “He has represented the University of Arizona and our program at the highest level with integrity and respect. It’s an honor to call him a friend and, on behalf of Arizona Basketball, we wish him and his wife, Lisa, all the best in retirement.”
Robinson was replaced on the Arizona staff by Brandon Chappelle.
At Elon, Robinson will be joining a program that went 14-18 and finished near the bottom of the Coastal Athletic Association. The Phoenix, located in North Carolina, have never made the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.