FALCONS SPORTS: FCHS hires new head football coach | Post Sports | fortcampbellcourier.com

 

An Army veteran and son of a former Fort Campbell Soldier will take the helm as Fort Campbell High School’s new varsity head football coach.

 

 

This fall Joshua N. Robins will lead the Falcons in his first varsity head coaching job.

 

 

Robins replaces Josh McKillip, who resigned in November after only two years as head coach. McKillip’s record at FCHS was 4-18.

 

 

Robins served as the defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach for the past five years at Northwest High School in Clarksville. He also was the head junior varsity football coach, according to a Department of Defense Education Activity release.

 

 

During Robins’ tenure at Northwest, the team landed their first playoff berth in nearly a decade. For the past two years – 2015 and 2016 – the NWHS football defense was ranked as one of the best Tennessee defenses in Region 6-4A, according to the release.

 

 

“My dad was a 28-year veteran [of the Army] and served some time here [at Fort Campbell], so the community means a lot to me and my Family,” Robins said Tuesday afternoon during a phone interview. “This community is very special. They deserve someone who’s going to give 100 percent. I feel like myself and the staff we have here – who are also vets for the most part – and my Family and their Families are going to give this community 100 percent,” he said.

 

 

Growing up in a military Family, Robins said he can relate to the Fort Campbell student-athletes who move several times in their young lives. Born in Maryland, Robins said his Family lived at Army posts in Colorado, Kentucky and South Carolina.

 

 

“I can relate to these kids. With my dad being in the military, I know what they’ve been through especially within the last two decades,” he said. “[i use] the leadership qualities I learned while I was in the military … Relationships are very important to me. I just want to build these relationships with these young men and help them to get to where they want to be in the future.”

 

 

As a student, Robins played linebacker at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, South Carolina. He also played linebacker at Golden West Community College in Huntington Beach, California.

 

 

Robins enlisted in the Army and served as a military policeman for four years at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. While stationed there, he served as the linebacker coach at Clover Park High School in Lakewood, Washington.

 

 

After the Army, Robins earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and human performance in 2014 from Austin Peay State University. He was a sixth through eighth grade teacher at Clarksville Alternative School from April 2015 through May 2016. There he was responsible for planning and delivering an integrated educational program.

 

 

Prior to being named the Falcons head coach, Robins said he has spent some time with his team and is excited about next season.

 

 

“We’ve got a good core [group] of young men. We have a couple of seniors coming back that we’re really excited about,” he said. “For the most part it’s just learning the new system. We’re very confident with our abilities as coaches and what we’ve seen on film with these athletes that we can get the job done and going in the right direction.”

 

 

Robins said he and his coaching staff have a philosophy they follow and hope to pass on to their team.

 

 

“Five things that I go by and our coaching staff goes by: Hustle, show courage, know your assignment, care about winning, be loyal,” he said. “Those things don’t just pertain to football, that’s everything in life and school.”

 

 

FCHS Athletic Director Charles Poole gave Robins a thumbs-up.

 

 

“Mr. Robins brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in fitness, coaching and physical education,” Poole said. “We believe that Coach Robins is a great fit for our student athletes, as well as our community.”

 

 

Robins said he appreciates Fort Campbell’s “rich tradition” in football and wants to continue the legacy.

 

 

“They’re going to get someone that has a great work ethic,” he said. “I’m very committed to the community, as well as the athletes. We’re just really excited to be here.”

Congratulations and good luck to Coach Robins and the Falcons!