Former Powell Valley Head Football and Track Coach Phil Robbins, 81, Passes Away, Leaving Behind His Wife Patty and Three Children
As a track coach, late Phil Robbins won the Walter Cormack Award.
September 22, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 22, 2026
Phil Robbins, a longtime football and track & field coach based in Virginia, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2026, at the age of 81.
While his family has not yet disclosed the cause of his death, many of his loved ones are paying tribute to the late legendary coach Phil Robbins and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Born in 1944 in Athens, Tennessee, Phil Robbins began his athletic journey from a very young age, playing multiple sports in high school and college.
He was a star quarterback at McMinn County High School in Athens, Tennessee, and later continued his athletic journey, excelling in both football and baseball at Emory & Henry College.
Robbins was a three-year letterwinner in football at Emory & Henry. For his remarkable journey, he into the E&H Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Although Phil Robbins didn’t play professionally, he continued his sports career as a multi-sports coach for decades, touching the lives of many student-athletes.
Phil began his coaching journey as an assistant coach on Roy Miller’s staff at Patrick Henry.
Late Phil Robbins Began His Head Coaching Career With John Battle High School in 1971
After a four-year tenure as an assistant coach, Phil Robbins began his career as the head football and track & field coach at John Battle High School in .
During his six-year stint with the John Battle football team, Phil led the Trojans in several victories.
He further continued his head coaching journey at Christiansburg High School from 1977 to 1982, leading the Blue Demons to the program’s first playoff berth in 1981, before joining Powell Valley High School in 1982.
During his 28-year tenure at Powell Valley, Phil Robbins won 15 district, 156 regional, and seven state titles, while finishing as the state runner-up in football in 2004.
Additionally, Phil also led his track team to win two state and regional titles.
Phil Robbins served as the high school coach for 45 years and retired from his coaching career in 2010, having amassed 307 victories, which ranked him in the top five in Virginia High School League history.
He also served as the president of the Virginia High School Coaches Association and was inducted into the Virginia High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
After retirement, his career as the equipment manager for the University of Virginia football program for five years before becoming the Chief of Staff for the football program at UVA.
Phil Robbins’s exceptional coaching journey and his contribution to the Virginia community will always be remembered.
Phil is survived by his longtime wife, Patty Robbins, his three sons, Andy, Wes, and Brad, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the entire family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Late Phil Robbins’ youngest son, Brad, followed in his footsteps and currently serves as the offensive coordinator at the University of Tulsa.
- He and his longtime wife, Patty Robbins, were college sweethearts, having attended Emory and Henry College.
- Phil’s family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
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Suruchi is a business management student with a strong passion for writing, particularly when it comes to sports. She loves creating articles and blogs that explore various aspects of the sports world. With a curious mind and a love for both academics and creativity, she constantly seeks to expand her knowledge and share her insights through her writing.
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