He won 408 games in 56 years and sent more than 200 players to the NFL. Very impressive for having coached a such a small school. He died this morning at the age of 88.

Some other facts courtesy of ESPN.com:

• Born Feb. 13, 1919 in Jackson, Louisiana. Graduates from McKinley Senior High in Baton Rouge, earns degree from Leland College.

• Hired at Grambling State in 1941. His first team goes 3-5, but the 1942 squad goes 9-0 and is unscored-upon.

• In 1949, Grambling's Paul "Tank" Younger signs with the Los Angeles Rams, becoming first player from historically black college to join NFL.

• Robinson becomes president of American Football Coaches Association in 1976.

• On Oct. 5, 1985, a 27-7 Grambling win over Prairie View A&M gives Robinson win No. 324, passing Paul "Bear" Bryant as winningest college football coach.

• 1997: Robinson resigns in 1997. He leaves with record of 408-165-15, a .707 winning percentage and 19 SWAC championships.

Eddie Robinson was an ICON in the college football world. I was very saddened to hear the news of his passing. The man was legendary and very well admired. His players had the utmost respect for him, and his colleagues shared that same respect. The Grambling football program lost a piece of its soul, and I hope he is now at peace.

Very sad news. His successes are remarkable and legendary, and the NCAA College Football folks should honor him by naming a new major coaching award or prize after him.

Truely sad day for the country and world. I remember waking up and reading articles and watching Sportscenter and not believing it at all.