Daniyal Robinson, a veteran of the coaching ranks, is ready for his third season on the bench at Loyola University Chicago and his second as the associate head coach. A native of Rock Island, Ill., Robinson has been instrumental in Loyola's recent resurgence, helping the Ramblers to 24 wins and the College Basketball Invitational title last season.
Under Robinson's tutelage, Christian Thomas developed into one of the Missouri Valley Conference's most productive and efficient interior players, wrapping up his career as one of only 10 players in Loyola history to record 1,300 points and 600 rebounds. In addition to his on-court coaching, Robinson has also been a mentor off the floor. He began the Ramblers For Education program, a program which links Loyola's student-athletes to the community, and LU athletes have been active at Cornerstone Community Outreach -- an organization that aims to provide homes and shelter to those in need -- as well as Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a community of care for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Prior to moving to Loyola, Robinson spent three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Houston, where he helped the Cougars to the CBI quarterfinals in 2013. Working under head coach James Dickey at Houston, Robinson helped TaShawn Thomas develop into one of the premier players in Conference USA. Last season, Thomas was named First Team All-Conference USA and was also selected to the league's all-defensive team after putting up 16.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. His work with forward Danuel House helped him earn Conference USA Freshman of the Year accolades, and Robinson also played a key role in the Cougars' highly touted signing class which was ranked among the nation's top 25 by ESPN and Rivals.
No stranger to Moser, Robinson began his coaching career as an administrative assistant under Moser at Arkansas-Little Rock in 2000. After spending three seasons in that capacity with the Trojans, where they orchestrated the largest single-season turnaround in Sun Belt Conference history, going from four wins to 18, Robinson followed Moser to Illinois State, where he served as an assistant coach on the Redbirds' staff from 2003-07.
At ISU, Robinson was the lead recruiter on 2006-07 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year Osiris Eldridge, a Chicago native, who was a First Team All-MVC pick in 2007-08. He also helped land and develop Lorenzo Gordon, a MVC Newcomer of the Year and first team all-conference selection, and Levi Dyer, the 2006-07 MVC Most Improved Player.
Following his time at Illinois State, Robinson returned to Arkansas-Little Rock where he served as an assistant coach during the 2007-08 campaign and helped the Trojans to the Sun Belt Conference West Division title and their first 20-win season since 1995-96.
During a two-year stint at Iowa State (2008-10), Robinson helped develop three future NBA players in Diante Garrett, Justin Hamilton, and Craig Brackins, who was also an Honorable Mention All-America performer and the No. 21 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Robinson's recruiting acumen helped the Cyclones land several highly touted players, including Chris Colvin, a graduate of Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Marquis Gilstrap, and LaRon Dendy.
"I am excited to get back to working with my mentor, Coach Moser, and to have the opportunity to be close to my family," Robinson said. "Along with that, it is an honor to be a part of such a prestigious University, as well as to be in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is one of the top leagues in the country. My fundamental beliefs are in sync with Coach Moser's and I look forward to assisting him with the turnaround of Loyola basketball."
After his career at Indian Hills Community College, where he was a second team all-region honoree, Robinson wrapped up his playing career at Arkansas-Little Rock, where he was a starter and team captain as a senior. At Indian Hills, he helped the Warriors to a 35-4 record during the 1995-96 campaign as the team captured state and regional championships in addition to earning a berth in the NJCAA national tournament. Indiana Hills finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA poll that year. He graduated from Arkansas-Little Rock in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in health education.
Robinson and his wife, Kim, have three children -- Devyn, Reece and Reid.
