BALDWIN, N.Y. – Norfolk State men’s basketball head coach Robert Jones has added another distinguished accolade to his resume.
The Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) announced Jones as the winner of the 2025 Eddie Robinson Award on Thursday evening. The organization will present him with the award at the ABIS Gala, taking place at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott on June 28.
Named in honor of the legendary Eddie Robinson, one of the winningest coaches in college sports history, the award celebrates a current or former coach who exemplifies excellence in their sport and has made a lasting impact on their athletes, the game, and the broader community.
“To be honored by ABIS for my career accomplishments thus far is humbling and exciting,” Jones said. “It’s an extraordinary panel of honorees and it is just a blessing to be a part of this. It once again highlights the men’s basketball program at Norfolk State on a national stage. I hope to see all Spartans in attendance.”
Accumulating over 230 wins across 12 seasons as the head coach of the Norfolk State men’s basketball program, Jones has guided the Spartans to their greatest run of the team’s Division I era. Most recently, NSU defeated South Carolina State 66-65 to win the 2025 MEAC Tournament Championship and advance into the NCAA Tournament.
Three of the Spartans’ four MEAC Tournament titles have come during Jones head coaching tenure, and the other (2011-12) came while Jones served as the team’s associate head coach. Norfolk State has won five MEAC Regular Season crowns under Jones, owning a record of 135-45 in league play during his time at the helm.
After winning the third MEAC Tournament title of his coaching career during the 2024-25 season, Jones earned a contract extension through the 2031-32 season.
Jones continues to rack up both team and individual accolades while representing Norfolk State. CollegeInsider.com named him a finalist for three prestigious accolades this season – the Hugh Durham, Ben Jobe, and Skip Prosser Man of the Year awards. He also earned MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach honors following the victory over SCSU.
Jones has received the MEAC Coach of the Year award three times – 2019, 2022, 2024 – as well as BOXTOROW HBCU Coach of the Year in 2022 and 2024.
Source: Norfolk State Athletics/nsuspartans.com
