Head varsity football coach Rich Robbins is leaving Canisius High School after coaching his team to a second consecutive Monsignor Martin championship this spring, the team’s third league title in four years. Robbins has been the Crusaders head coach for the last ten seasons, compiling a 78-29 record, including three state championships, two undefeated seasons, and seven Monsignor Martin titles during his tenure. He has compiled the second-most wins of any football coach in school history, and his teams have produced two NFL draft picks and seven NFL players. Robbins was named the Western New York large school Coach of the Year five times, and six times his teams finished at the top of the Buffalo News large school poll.

“There is no good time to step aside,” says Robbins, who will be moving to Florida to be closer to where his, and his wife’s, relatives now reside. “This past year has made me realize even more the importance of being closer to family, but I am going to miss Canisius. We built a football family here where everyone cares about each other on and off the field. I am confident that the coaches and players will continue with that caring attitude, championship mindset and are poised to achieve even more success.”

“We are grateful for all that Coach Robbins has done to help our student-athletes find success at football, but also to grow as good young men,” says Canisius President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., “Caring for the whole person is a hallmark of Jesuit education, and Coach Robbins has exemplified that philosophy. We wish him and his family all the best.”

Canisius will launch a search for its next head football coach. The new coach will take over a talented team that is the reigning state Catholic champions as no state championship game was played this school year due to COVID-19. Current junior Nik McMillan was recently named the All-Catholic Football MVP for the 2020-2021 season, and his classmates QB Tyler Baker and defensive standout Braydon Vandenberg were named to this spring’s All-Catholic team.

“A priority for any coach is to leave the program in a better spot than when he arrived,” says Canisius Director of Athletics Jim Mauro. “Rich, his staff, and players have brought us to great heights. I’m extremely confident that we will attract another high-quality coach to guide our program forward.”