The football world mourns the loss of a legend. Lee Fobbs, longtime college coach and Grambling icon, has died at 75. The football community is standing together in grief, sending thoughts and prayers to his family and close ones.

Lee Fobbs played as a running back at Grambling during Eddie Robinson’s historic run before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1973. He also played for the Canadian Football League. Fobbs, the north Louisiana native, spent more than four decades as a coach at the Division I and HBCU levels. He was the pioneer in helping African-American assistants get into college football.

He was the first African-American assistant coach at the NCAA Division I level, coaching for Tulane, Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Minnesota, Kansas, ULM, Southern, and Grambling. He also served as the head coach for North Carolina A&T from 2006 to 2008.

He was one of the most widely respected and trusted running backs coaches, while also working on both sides of the ball during his career. Under his head coach at NC A&T, the program was widely praised for its professionalism, discipline, and steady leadership.

In 2015, he went back to Grambling State, the school he played for, as the running backs coach, under his son Broderick Fobbs’ leadership. The Tigers soon came out as a national HBCU power, winning the SWAC championships and the Celebration Bowl, including the 2016 HBCU national championship.

Lee retired from GSU in 2019. But he left his legacy rolling with his son, Broderick, who won a National Championship with the Tigers in 2016 and now serves as South Alabama’s RB coach.

Prayers and tributes poured in following news of his passing, with former players and colleagues remembering a coach’s career, keeping him and his family in their prayers.

CFB community mourns the loss of Lee Fobbs

The college football world came together in remembering Lee Fobbs, sharing heartfelt tributes that reflected his immense impact on the game and the people in it. A Grambling State alum wrote, “Rest well, Mr. Fobbs. Prayers up for his family and the entire Grambling community,” while others offered simple but powerful messages of condolence to the Fobbs family. A fan remembered that Fobbs didn’t just coach football but had “changed the sport” and “impacted so many lives” along the way.

Some also extended their support to his sons, Broderick and Jamaal, who served as members of the coaching community, and acknowledged the family’s deep football roots. One message read, “Coach Lee Fobbs was a great coach and man,” capturing the respect he earned on and off the field. Tulane running backs coach Brock Hays added, “RIP Legend.”

Legacy Tributes, the social media handle that honors legends of the game, paid tribute to his football career, listing out his achievements: “RIP Lee Fobbs, Pro Football Running Back & Coach. The Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Rough Riders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Grey Cup Champ (1973), Grambling State Tigers, Grambling Hall of Fame, HC for North Carolina A&T Aggies. Asst. for LSU, NLU, Grambling, Tulane. #InMemoriam #RIP.”

Top Stories

Paramount’s UFC Launch Under Fire After Kourtney Kardashian’s Husband Sparks Backlash

Joe Rogan Shows No Mercy at Rose Namajunas’ Past as She Falls to Natalia Silva at UFC 324

NFL Announces Punishment Decision for Josh Allen’s Bills Following Divisional Round Loss

When 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Got Arrested Defending Raheem Morris at 2005 NFL Combine

Patrick Reed Willing to End Rory McIlroy Feud Using Bizarre Measure Years After ‘Tee-Gate’

Donald Trump Announces Super Bowl Decision, Slams Halftime Performer Bad Bunny & Green Day