Dissecting Daniyal Robinson’s CSU tenure and departure

[Dannymacfan]

With head coach Daniyal Robinson headed for North Texas, the Vikings find themselves back on the coaching carousel. Three years ago, Dennis Gates took his talents (and most of the players) to Missouri. Robinson came in with a bare bones roster and one of his guys from Iowa State. 

With expectations fairly (understandably) low at the start, Robinson leaves CSU with three-straight 20-win seasons plus the most wins by a CSU coach in their first three seasons (65).

The time for Robinson with the Vikings can be divided into two main “eras.” These eras can be referred to as “Tristan Enaruna” and “Post-Enaruna.” With expectations at the beginning of each just as low (and a roster just as new), the Vikings exceeded expectations both times.

Enaruna Era (2022-24)

With only four remaining guys on the team (which is better than when Gates took over at least), Robinson had to build the roster from the ground up. 

Yahel Hill, Deshon Parker, Deante “Spider” Johnson, and Jayson Woodrich all returned but they accounted for only 23.2 points per game (PPG) total the previous year. The departures of Tre Gomillion (10.5 PPG) and D’Moi Hodge (15.4 PPG) to Missouri were the biggest hurdles to get over. 

In stepped Enaruna, Tae Williams, and Drew Lowder plus freshman Dylan Arnett. These four would turn into some of the most impactful players for the Robinson-led Vikings over the next three years.

Enaruna was obviously the stand-out but coming into the season he was unproven. He was a top recruit previously but while playing at Kansas (two years) and Iowa State (one year), he only averaged 2.4, 2.8, and 4.3 PPG.

read more:  https://horizoneroundtable.com/2025/03/31/its-not-a-great-day-to-be-a-vike-dissecting-daniyal-robinsons-csu-tenure-and-departure/