Steve Robinson officially joins Arizona staff—and ‘there’s a lot of gas left in his tank’

Arizona has officially announced the hire of former North Carolina assistant Steve Robinson to Tommy Lloyd’s staff, where he’ll replace Jason Terry.

Robinson joins Arizona after spending 18 years as Roy Williams’ top assistant at UNC. Williams retired this spring and Robinson was not retained by new UNC coach Hubert Davis.

Robinson won three national titles with Williams at UNC. The pair also worked together in two stints at Kansas.

“Adding Steven Robinson to its staff is a great opportunity for Arizona Basketball,” Williams said. “He’s been an incredible part of my life for the past 33 years, 26 of which we spent together at Kansas and North Carolina. He’s a great tactician and competitor and an outstanding person. Coach Lloyd will enjoy working with Steve every day and will appreciate all he has to offer.

“He was an integral part of three national championships, plus hundreds of wins and numerous other Final Fours. There’s a lot of gas left in his tank. I couldn’t be happier for Steve and his family. The Arizona Wildcats have made me a big fan with this move.”

Robinson, like Lloyd, is a member of the Assistant Coach Hall of Fame. He also has head coaching experience at Florida State and Tulsa.

Robinson is the last hire to round out Lloyd’s inaugural coaching staff.

“We are very fortunate to be able to add a coach to our staff with the pedigree of Steve Robinson,” Lloyd said. “He is a first-class individual and knows the ins and outs of championship-level basketball, having won three National titles and made eight appearances in the Final Four. That experience will be an invaluable asset to our team and our program. We look forward to welcoming Coach Robinson and his wife, Lisa, to Tucson and the Arizona Basketball family.”

At UNC, Robinson was responsible for recruiting, scout and in-game strategy. Among the players he recruited to UNC and Kansas were Harrison Barnes, Marvin Williams and Paul Pierce.

Robinson primarily worked perimeter players at UNC and is credited with developing future NBA guards Raymond Felton, Ty Lawson, Kendall Marshall and Joel Berry II.

“I want to thank Coach Lloyd for this opportunity to join his staff at a place with the history and tradition like the University of Arizona,” Robinson said. “We have gotten to know each other over the years, and I know relationships are very important to him, so I can’t wait to start building those relationships on and off the court with the rest of the staff and the young men in this program.”