AZUSA, Calif. — Azusa Pacific Football has announced the return of Craig Robbins to the program, as the Cougar alum re-joins the staff as the Recruiting Coordinator and Running Backs Coach. A former APU running back and an experienced developer of backfield talent across Southern California, Robbins brings a potent blend of institutional familiarity, coaching success, and regional recruiting ties back to Cougar Football.
Robbins, a Southern California native, began his football journey at Carson High School, where he earned Second Team All-Marine League honors as a running back while also competing in baseball as an outfielder. After graduating in 2002, he continued his academic and athletic career at El Camino College, earning his Associate of Arts degree before spending one season at New Mexico State University.
He arrived at Azusa Pacific University shortly after, competing as a running back during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Robbins helped guide APU to the 2005 NAIA Playoffs and played his senior season under then-first-year head coach Victor Santa Cruz. He graduated with a degree in Communications, with an emphasis in Media Studies, laying the foundation for both his coaching and professional careers.
Following graduation, Robbins transitioned into roles with the Los Angeles Dodgers and UCLA in sales and marketing before entering the coaching profession. What followed was a diverse and impactful coaching journey that included stops at East Los Angeles College, Occidental College, and Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School, where he helped lead the Cardinals to a 2,000+ yard rushing season in 2013. At Occidental, he coached the program's single-season and career rushing leader, Kwame Do.
Robbins' success continued at the junior college level, spending three seasons as the Running Backs Coach at Chaffey College. During his tenure, he developed four all-conference selections, including Jamal Scott, Artis Seymore, and two-time honoree Derrione Leeper, the 2018 Western State Bowl MVP. He also assisted the program as video coordinator, graphics designer, and social media manager, showcasing his versatile skill set.
In 2019, Robbins returned to Azusa Pacific to coach the running backs during the program's final season, where he mentored walk-on running back Dante Davis to Second Team All-Conference honors. Most recently, Robbins served as the Running Backs Coach at the University of Redlands, joining the Bulldogs in Spring 2021 and contributing to a potent and consistent rushing attack to a program that would earn the 2021 SCIAC title
Under his leadership, the Bulldogs consistently ranked among the conference's top rushing teams. His running back room featured multiple all-conference selections, including standouts such as Kai Thompson, Andrew Kellstrom, and Tony Williams, the latter becoming one of the SCIAC's most dominant offensive players by leading the league in rushing (1,000 yds), all-purpose yards (149.5 yds), and total scrimmage yards (1,207 yds). Robbins' influence at Redlands was marked by disciplined, explosive ground production and the emergence of versatile, high-IQ running backs..
"Coach Robbins is a tremendous addition to our program in many ways, but most importantly because of his heart for APU," said Head Coach AJ Parnell. "He knows how to connect with and develop players in every area of their lives, which is central to who we are here. His experience competing in the SCIAC and recruiting to APU will also bring value to our program."
Robbins now returns to the program that shaped his collegiate career, bringing with him a wealth of experience, a track record of developing high-performing running backs, and a deep passion for Azusa Pacific Football.
He resides in Redlands with his wife, Krystle, and their three daughters, Chloe, Catniss, and Casey.
