New men’s basketball head coach poised to build on program’s successes

Daniyal Robinson, respected as one of the nation’s top assistant coaches, was named the 17th head coach of Cleveland State men’s basketball. 

Robinson, most recently an assistant coach at Iowa State University, joins the Vikings as a veteran of the coaching ranks with over 21 years of experience at the NCAA Division I level and multiple trips to the NCAA tournament, including a run with Iowa State to this year’s Sweet Sixteen.  

“Daniyal’s vision for CSU basketball fully aligns with our foundation of championship success in the classroom, in the community and on the court,” said CSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Garrett.  

“We look forward to fully supporting Coach Robinson’s success and to continuing our accelerating momentum under his leadership.” 

Robinson concluded his second stint at Iowa State where he saw the Cyclones win two Big 12 tournaments and advance to the NCAA tournament four times, which includes runs to the Sweet 16 in 2016 and 2021. Over his two stops with the Cyclones, Robinson has helped coach 12 student-athletes to the NBA, a list that includes lottery pick Tyrese Haliburton in 2020 and 2019 second-rounder and NBA Champion Talen Horton-Tucker. 

Off the court, Robinson founded and currently chairs the Black Assistant Coaches Alliance, and he started the Ramblers for Education program, which linked Loyola student-athletes and the Chicago community. He also served on the Iowa State athletic department’s Cultural Humility Committee, a group of employees that participates in educational trainings with a goal of achieving cultural humility within the department.  

Robinson is joined in Cleveland by his wife Kim and three children — Devyn, Reece and Reid.