University of Memphis Athletics
Coach West Kicks Off Spring Football With New Assistants
Mar 13, 2006 | Football
March 13, 2006
MEMPHIS, TENN. - University of Memphis Head Football Coach Tommy West announced today, at the spring football kick-off luncheon, the hiring of Tommie Robinson and Kenny Ingram as assistant coaches. The pair replace Jeep Hunter and Chris Rumph who both recently left to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Robinson replaces Hunter as the running backs coach after spending the last four seasons at Georgia Tech where he coached the tight ends. Ingram, an assistant coach at Tennessee State, returns to Memphis where he formerly coached at Melrose High. He replaces Rumph as the linebackers coach.
In 2003, Robinson coached honorable mention all-conference tight end John Paul Foschi, the Jackets' third-leading receiver. Foschi signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets following the season.
Robinson arrived at Tech in 2002, reuniting with Tech head coach Chan Gailey, for whom he played for at Troy State and worked under as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys.
During the 2002 season, Robinson worked with standout receivers Kerry Watkins and Will Glover, who both finished among the top five receivers in Georgia Tech history. Watkins earned all-ACC honors.
The veteran coach spent the 2001 season as the running backs coach at Oklahoma State, after serving three years as an offensive assistant with the NFL's Cowboys, working with wide receivers and special teams.
Prior to his time in Dallas, Robinson spent four seasons at TCU (1994-97) and two at Utah State (1992-93) as a full-time assistant. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Arkansas. Robinson, 41, previously served NFL coaching internships at New Orleans, St. Louis, Dallas and Miami.
A native of Phenix City, Ala., Robinson played for Gailey at Troy State, where he was a part of the 1984 Division II national champions. He was a three-year starter as a strong safety for the Trojans and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1985.
After pursuing professional football, he coached on the high school level, including four years (1987-90) at his alma mater, Central High in Phenix City, Ala.
Ingram is no stranger to Memphis, having coached at Melrose High School where he is credited with returning the program to prominence. He was head coach from 2002-04 and posted a 37-4 overall record after serving as an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator from 2001-02. He led the school to one appearance in the state finals and a pair of appearances in the state semifinals.
He was a three-time Regional Coach of the Year and was the Commercial Appeal's 2004 Coach of the Year for Metro Memphis. He also was selected to serve as the Liberty Bowl All-Star Game Defensive Coordinator in 2003 and was a member of the Tennessee East-West Shrine All-Star Game coaching staff in 2003. Ingram was elected as an assistant coach for the 2004 Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star game.
In his three seasons at Melrose, he coached 17 players who signed scholarships to play college football.
Ingram, 34, spent the last season as defensive line coach at Tennessee State University, and was responsible for recruiting his hometown area of Memphis and West Tennessee.
Previously, Ingram taught and coached at Corry Middle School and worked in the Youth Habilitation Center prior to moving to Melrose.
A standout at Whitehaven High, Ingram played college football at Arkansas State where he was a four-year letterman from 1988-93. He was the team co-captain in 1992-93, and received his degree in political science from ASU in December 1999.
"I'm really excited about these two guys joining our staff," said West. "You know how I feel when coaches want to leave. I don't have a problem with that, and I don't get mad at them for leaving. I feel both of these guys are going to really helps us on the field and in recruiting."
Spring football begins on Tuesday with practice at the Murphy Athletic Complex in the afternoon. The team will have 14 practice dates prior to the Blue-Gray game which will be held at noon on Saturday, April 8, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
