
Durant, Oklahoma, was in mourning after high school girls' basketball coach Will Robinson was killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve. Robinson, who joined Durant Public Schools in 2019, was travelling with his family in their SUV in Sherman, Texas, when their vehicle left the roadway and became trapped in a drainage ditch. Four family members were rescued, but Robinson and his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, did not survive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Robinson |
| Nickname | Coach Rob |
| Occupation | High school basketball coach |
| School | Durant High School |
| Team | Durant Lady Lions |
| Team Record | First winning season in over a decade |
| Post-Season Wins | First in 12 years |
| Year Joined | 2018 or 2019 |
| Family | Wife Kristen, sons Carson and Cade, daughters Clara and Ellie |
| Father | Tony Robinson |
| Cause of Death | Car accident |
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What You'll Learn

Will Robinson's death in a car crash on Christmas Eve
Will Robinson, a beloved high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, died in a car crash on Christmas Eve. Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team.
On the day of the accident, Robinson, his wife Kristen, and their four children were travelling to McKinney in heavy rain. Their SUV hydroplaned while on U.S. Highway 75 near Sherman, Texas, and crashed into a flooded drainage ditch. The vehicle was then carried away by strong currents. Four family members were rescued by the Sherman Fire Department, but Robinson did not survive, and his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, was swept away and remains missing.
The Durant community was deeply impacted by Robinson's death. As a coach, he led the Lady Lions to their first winning season in over a decade and two postseason wins, the first in 12 years. He was also a devoted husband and father, described by his cousin as "a devoted husband and father, a beloved basketball coach, and just a great person."
The school district in southeastern Oklahoma implemented a crisis plan, making counselors and other trained professionals available to students and the community. The school's superintendent, Mark Moring, expressed his sorrow and asked for support for the Robinson family. The Lady Lions' first game after Robinson's passing was attended by a community that filled the stands in blue for Coach Rob and pink for Clara.
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Robinson's daughter, Clara, missing after the accident
Will Robinson, a beloved high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, died when his family's SUV was swept away by raging floodwaters on Christmas Eve in Sherman, Texas. Robinson and his family were driving in heavy rain when their vehicle left Highway 75, crashed into a drainage ditch, and was carried away by strong currents. Four family members were rescued, but Robinson did not survive, and his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, remains missing.
The search for Clara entered its fourth day on Friday, with extensive search efforts by local and state agencies, including Texas Task Force 2, and the use of canines and boat or watercraft teams. Despite these efforts, Clara has still not been found as of the publishing of this article.
Durant Independent School District officials and the community are mourning the loss of Coach Robinson and expressing their support for the Robinson family. Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. He was remembered as a devoted husband and father, a beloved coach, and a great person.
The school district has a crisis plan in place, with grief counselors and other trained professionals available to support students and the community during this difficult time. The joint memorial service for Coach Robinson and Clara was held at the gym at Durant High School, and the community continues to rally around the family, offering their love and support.
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Durant school leaders and the community mourn the loss
Durant, Oklahoma, is mourning the loss of one of its beloved high school basketball coaches, Will "Rob" Robinson, who was killed in a car accident on Christmas Eve. The Durant Independent School District released a statement expressing their sorrow and offering support to the Robinson family and the school community.
Coach Robinson was travelling with his family near Sherman, Texas, when their SUV hydroplaned and crashed into a flooded drainage ditch. Despite rescue efforts, Robinson did not survive, and his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, remains missing. The Durant community has been deeply impacted by the tragedy, with counsellors and other trained professionals made available to students and staff.
Durant Public Schools Superintendent Mark Moring described Coach Robinson as a dedicated member of the school community, always willing to go the extra mile for the Durant Lions. Robinson joined the school in 2019 and quickly turned the girls' basketball team's fortunes around, leading them to their first winning season in over a decade. In addition to his coaching duties, he served as the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leader and assisted with The Owen Foundation.
The entire community has rallied around the Robinson family, offering support and raising money through a GoFundMe campaign that raised over $40,000. The joint memorial service for Coach Rob and his daughter was held at the Durant High School gym, with the community filling the stands in blue for Coach Rob and pink for Clara. The Durant Lady Lions' first game after the tragedy saw the community come together once again to honour the memory of Coach Rob and his contributions to the school and the team.
The loss of Coach Will Robinson has left a profound impact on the Durant school community, and his legacy will forever be remembered in the hearts of those he inspired and touched.
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Robinson's impact on the Durant Lady Lions basketball team
Will Robinson, a high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, had a profound impact on the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2018 or 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. In the season before he took over, the Lady Lions had a poor record of 1-22. However, Robinson quickly turned the team's fortunes around. In just a few years, he led the Lady Lions to their first winning season in over a decade, achieving multiple postseason wins, including their first in 12 years.
Robinson's impact extended beyond the basketball court. He was described as someone who "would do anything for the school" and was "everything to [the students]." He was also the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leader and assisted with The Owen Foundation. As a player for the Lions, he helped lead the team to the Class 5A state semifinals in 2006, making it to the second round before losing to eventual champions Tulsa Central. This was the Lions' deepest basketball playoff run since 1979.
Robinson's father, Tony Robinson, a respected figure in Oklahoma basketball, joined his son's coaching staff as an assistant coach. Tony Robinson spent most of his career coaching at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and is a member of the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Will Robinson's tragic death in a car accident on Christmas Eve 2024 shocked the Durant community, with many paying tribute to his impact on the Lady Lions basketball team and the wider school community.
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Robinson's father, Tony, fills the void left by his son
Will Robinson, a high school girls' basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, passed away in a tragic car accident on Christmas Eve. Robinson's SUV was swept away by raging floodwaters in Sherman, Texas, leaving his 8-year-old daughter, Clara, missing. The Durant community was deeply saddened by the loss, and grief counselors were made available to students and staff.
Robinson was not just a beloved coach but also a devoted husband and father. He was remembered as someone who would go above and beyond for the school and the basketball team. Before his passing, he had already cemented himself in Lady Lions history, leading the team to their first winning season in over a decade and achieving two postseason wins.
Robinson's father, Tony Robinson, now finds himself filling the void left by his son. Tony is a well-respected coach in his own right, having spent most of his career at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and earning a spot in the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame upon his retirement in 2011. However, he came out of retirement to work alongside his son as an assistant coach for the Lady Lions.
Tony Robinson continues to coach the Durant girls' basketball team through their grief, providing a source of stability and support for the players and the school community. He has been described as someone who "supported students" and "was everything to them." The impact of his presence is evident as the team carries the memory of Coach Rob with them into their games, using it as a chance to heal.
The entire community of Durant has rallied around the Robinson family, offering their love and support during this unimaginable period of grief. A GoFundMe page raised over $40,000 for the family, and the joint memorial service for Coach Rob and Clara was held at the packed Durant High School gym, showcasing the profound impact they had on the community.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Robinson, a high school basketball coach from Durant, Oklahoma, died in a car accident on Christmas Eve. His vehicle hydroplaned in heavy rain, went into a flooded drainage ditch and was swept away by floodwaters in Sherman, Texas.
Yes, Will Robinson's 8-year-old daughter, Clara, also died in the accident.
Will Robinson joined Durant Public Schools in 2018 or 2019 as a teacher and coach of the Durant Lady Lions basketball team. He played high school basketball in Durant and college basketball at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where his father, Tony Robinson, was the head coach.











































