JOHN PHILIP "PHIL" ROBBINS

John Philip “Phil” Robbins, 81, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia blew his final whistle on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Phil was born on March 19, 1944 in Washington County, Va. to the late Rev. Wilmer and Louise (Cawood) Robbins. Phil began his athletic journey from a very young age, playing multiple sports in high school and college. He was a star quarterback at McMinn County High School in Athens, Tennessee, and later continued his athletic journey, excelling in both football and baseball at Emory & Henry College. Robbins was a three-year letterman in football at Emory & Henry College. For his remarkable journey at Emory, he was inducted into the E&H Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. While attending Emory & Henry he met his college sweetheart, Patty. They were married on July 30, 1967, following Phil obtaining his Master of Education from the University of Tennessee. 

Following his time at E&H he went on to be part of the Patrick Henry (Glade Springs, Va.) High School coaching staff under Roy Miller. After a four-year tenure as an assistant coach he began his career as the head football and track & field coach at John Battle High School in June 1971. He further continued his head coaching journey at Christiansburg High School from 1977 to 1982, leading the Blue Demons to the program’s first playoff berth in 1981, before joining Powell Valley High School in 1982. During his 28-year tenure at Powell Valley, Coach Robbins won 15 district, 15 regional, and seven state titles, while finishing as the state runner-up in football in 2004. Additionally, Phil also led his track team to win two state and regional titles. He was honored as Southwest Virginia Coach of the Year on several occasions. Phil Robbins served as the high school coach for 45 years and retired from his coaching career in 2010, having amassed 307 victories, which ranked him in the top five in Virginia High School League history. Robbins has served as the president of the Virginia High School Coaches Association and was honored to be inducted into the Virginia High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. He also was honored with the Walter Cormack Award for his outstanding contribution to track and field.

After retirement, Phil continued his career as the equipment manager for the University of Virginia at Wise football program for five years before becoming the Chief of Staff for the football program there. Phil Robbins’s exceptional coaching journey and his contribution to the Southwest Virginia community will always be remembered. 

Beyond the gridiron and track, he served his community in several different areas. He led the Union Backpack program supplying food and necessities to the kids of the Union Primary School, making sure no one ever went hungry. He served on many boards including the Town Council of Big Stone Gap. He also took reigns and often didn’t ask permission and got items that were needed and made “Things Happen”. He worked side by side with people of the community to make sure Big Stone Gap and the surrounding areas were taken care of. 

Phil was a pastor’s son. He was of the United Methodist faith. His faith was very important to him. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Big Stone Gap, where he served on many committees and boards during his time at Trinity. 

Faith, family, and football. His family was the proudest part of his life. No matter how many victories he had as a coach, his greatest joys were his family. Phil was a tough, loving, and caring father. He was a very proud grandfather. And he always bragged about his “Director of Operations,” Patty. 

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia “Patty” Phillips Robbins; three sons, Andy (Angie) Robbins; Wes (Keri) Robbins, and Brad (Jill) Robbins; grandchildren, Cassie Phillips, Kelsey Robbins, Kendall Robbins, Ashlyn Robbins, Hudson Robbins, and Weston Robbins; great grandchildren, Braylee, Oliver, Collin, and Kannon; his brother, David Robbins (Susan); brothers-in-law, Robert “Butch” Phillips and Ronnie Phillips (Liz); sister-in-law, Peggy Paino (Greg); and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00pm- 5:00pm on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the David J. Prior Convocation Center at the UVA-Wise in Wise, Va. Several special guests will be sharing their memories of Phil. Please have a seat promptly, when one arrives. Following the service, the family would like you to join them for refreshments and share your memories with one another and the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the following which Phil was so proud to be associated: Union Primary Backpack Program, 2945 2nd Ave, E., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219; Trinity United Methodist Church General Fund, 203 1st St., S., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219; or the UVA-Wise Football Team, c/o UVA Foundation, 1 College Ave, Wise, VA 24293.

Gilliam Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Stone Gap, Va. is honored to serve the Robbins family.

To view the obituary online and offer condolences, visit www.gilliamfuneralhome.com or the funeral home Facebook page.