Ayrton Oneill
Will Robinson, a high school girls' basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, passed away in a car accident on Christmas Eve in 2024. Robinson was a beloved figure in the Durant community, having played basketball for Durant High and Southeastern Oklahoma State University before returning to coach the Durant Lady Lions in 2019. His father, Tony Robinson, is also a respected figure in Oklahoma basketball, inducted into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011. The tragic accident occurred when the Robinson family SUV hydroplaned and fell into a flooded drainage ditch near Sherman, Texas, with the coach's eight-year-old daughter, Clara, still missing as of January 2025.
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What You'll Learn
- Will Robinson's death and the search for his daughter, Clara
- Durant Lady Lions basketball team's first game after Will Robinson's death
- Tributes to Will Robinson from friends, family, and colleagues
- The impact of Will Robinson on the Durant community
- Will Robinson's career as a basketball coach and player
Will Robinson's death and the search for his daughter, Clara
Will Robinson, a beloved high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, died on Christmas Eve in 2024 when his family's SUV crashed and was swept away by floodwaters in Sherman, Texas. Robinson's dedication both on and off the court was remembered by his players, colleagues, friends, and family.
At the time of the accident, there were six people inside the vehicle, including Robinson and his two daughters. Four people were rescued, including a 5-year-old girl who was found in the water and brought back to life by paramedics. Sadly, Robinson did not survive the accident, and his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, was swept away by the floodwaters and remains missing.
The search for Clara entered its fourth day on Friday, with the Southeast branch of the Oklahoma Disaster Task Force joining the effort. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed state search and rescue teams to assist in the search, which had already covered seven miles of creek bed without success. Despite extensive search efforts, Clara was still missing as of Wednesday afternoon, with search areas expanded to include the lower branches of Post Oak and Choctaw creeks.
Durant Independent School District officials and the community mourned the loss of Coach Robinson and expressed their support for the Robinson family during this difficult time. Grief counsellors and other trained professionals were made available to students and the school community. A joint memorial service for Will and Clara Robinson was held on Saturday afternoon in the Durant High School gymnasium.
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Durant Lady Lions basketball team's first game after Will Robinson's death
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, the Durant Lady Lions basketball team played their first game since the tragic passing of their beloved coach, Will "Rob" Robinson, in a car accident on Christmas Eve, 2024. The game marked a significant moment for the team and the Durant community as they came together to honor Coach Rob's memory.
Coach Robinson, a devoted husband, father, and coach, had joined the Durant Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Lady Lions. His impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he was known for his unwavering support for his students and his dedication to the school. Superintendent Mark Moring described Coach Rob as "that guy that would do anything for the school, anything for the Durant Lions."
The first game after Coach Robinson's death was an emotional event for the team and the community. The stands were filled with supporters donning blue for Coach Rob and pink for his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, who was still missing after the accident. The game became a way for the community to unite and remember the contributions Coach Rob had made to the Durant Lions and the entire Durant community.
Brad Dollar, CEO of Bryan County Sports, played a pivotal role in encouraging the community to attend the game. He understood the significance of a full house for the athletes and believed that filling the gym was a fitting tribute to Coach Rob. The game served as a testament to the impact Coach Rob had on so many lives and the love and respect he had earned from the Durant community.
The Lady Lions' first game after Coach Will Robinson's death was more than just a basketball game. It became a symbol of the community's resilience, love, and support for one of their own. The tragic loss of Coach Rob left an unimaginable void, but the team and the Durant family found solace and strength in each other as they navigated this difficult period together.
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Tributes to Will Robinson from friends, family, and colleagues
The tragic death of Will Robinson, a beloved high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, family, and colleagues. Robinson's dedication to his community and his love for his family were evident in the heartfelt messages shared by those who knew him.
Durant Independent School District Superintendent Mark Moring spoke of the profound impact Robinson had on the school and the students. "He supported students, he was everything to them," Moring said, highlighting Robinson's unwavering dedication to the Durant Lions. Brad Dollar, CEO of Bryan County Sports, led an initiative to 'fill the gym' in honour of Robinson's contribution to the community and the team.
Robinson's cousin, Susan Sumsurf, took to Facebook to express her devastation at the loss. "Will was one of the good ones—a devoted husband and father, a beloved basketball coach, and just a great person," she wrote. The grief and sorrow felt by Robinson's family were respected, with the Sherman Police Department requesting privacy during their unimaginable period of grief.
Colleague Fasiri Ellison also shared a touching tribute on Facebook, honouring Robinson's memory. Robinson's own father, Tony Robinson, found himself in the unimaginable position of filling the void left by his son. Tony, a retired coach himself, came out of retirement to work alongside his son as an assistant coach for the Lady Lions. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, as Tony's own achievements were recognised with a spot in the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The Durant community mourned the loss of "Coach Rob," remembering his dedication to basketball and his impact on the court. Robinson's legacy extended beyond the court, as he played basketball for Durant High and Southeastern Oklahoma State University before embarking on his coaching career. His impact on the court and in the classroom will forever be remembered by those he inspired.
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The impact of Will Robinson on the Durant community
Will Robinson, a beloved high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, had a profound impact on the Durant community. Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. He was known for his dedication, both on and off the court, and was highly regarded by those who knew him.
Durant community members, including family, friends, and former athletes, deeply mourned the loss of Coach Robinson, who died in a tragic accident on Christmas Eve 2024. The outpouring of grief and support from the community was a testament to the impact he had on those around him. Robinson was remembered for his selflessness and dedication to the school and the Durant Lions. He was described as someone who "would do anything for the school" and "anything for the Durant Lions."
The impact of Coach Robinson extended beyond the basketball court. He was a devoted husband and father, and his commitment to his family was evident in his heroic attempt to save his daughter, Clara, during the accident that took his life. Robinson's father, Tony Robinson, is a well-respected retired coach inducted into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Tony came out of retirement to work alongside his son as an assistant coach for the Lady Lions, showcasing the family's strong legacy in coaching and their dedication to the Durant community.
The Durant Independent School District recognized the significant loss of Coach Robinson and ensured grief counselors and other trained professionals were available to support students and community members. The district also honored Robinson's legacy by organizing a joint service for him and his daughter, Clara, in the Durant High School gymnasium. The community showed their support by filling the stands during the Durant Lady Lions' first game after Coach Robinson's passing, wearing blue in his honor.
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Will Robinson's career as a basketball coach and player
Will Robinson was a high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma. Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. He played basketball for Durant High and Southeastern Oklahoma State University before coaching in the Colbert, S&S, and Achille school districts. Robinson was remembered for his dedication, both on and off the court. Durant Public Schools Superintendent Mark Moring said, "He was that guy that would do anything for the school, anything for the Durant Lions."
Robinson came from a family of basketball coaches. His father, Tony Robinson, spent most of his career coaching at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. When he retired in 2011, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. However, he came out of retirement to work with his son as an assistant coach for the Lady Lions.
On Christmas Eve 2024, Robinson died in a car accident in Sherman, Texas, when his family's SUV fell into a drainage ditch and was swept away by raging floodwaters. Four other family members were pulled to safety, but Robinson's young daughter, Clara, remains missing. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed state search and rescue teams to assist in the search, which had entered its fourth day by Friday.
The Durant community, including family, friends, and former athletes, mourned Robinson's death and gathered to honor his legacy. Grief counselors and other trained professionals were made available to students by the Durant Independent School District. Superintendent Moring expressed his condolences, saying, "Once again, we ask for your support for the Robinson Family and our Lion Family in this time of sorrow."
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Frequently asked questions
Will Robinson was a high school girls' basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma.
Will Robinson died in a car accident on Christmas Eve 2024.
Yes, Will Robinson's father also died in the accident.
Yes, Will Robinson had a daughter named Clara who was 8 years old at the time of the accident and is still missing.
Will Robinson's death had a significant impact on the Durant community, with many people mourning his loss and expressing their support for his family. The school district also offered grief counseling and other support services to students and staff.
