Saying Goodbye - Robin Nixon Retires as the Face of Coronado Athletics

By Clark Fahrenthold

When you think of Coronado athletics, where does your mind wander? Perhaps it’s to our storied water polo program, our land stand success in lacrosse? Or maybe it’s one of our standout athletes like Layne Beaubien.

While those names and programs are all great, one name should come to mind before them all. Coronado’s Athletic Director Robin Nixon.

Few people are more connected to this town, school, and its athletics than Nixon, as she’s had Islander blood run in her veins since day one.

“My whole family was athletic and loved and grew up all around sports. But most notably, my father taught and coached here (at Coronado High School) for 35 years,” said Nixon. “So I grew up going to Islander football and basketball games.”

Always in and around so many Islanders sports programs because of her father, who still coached at CHS when she arrived at the High School, Nixon was just waiting for the day that she could dawn the Islander green and white.

“Growing up, I was always looking forward to being an Islander and playing for the High School,” lamented Nixon. “My graduating class and the class ahead of me had some extremely talented teams and athletes with names Tammy Fick or Nancy Hankel and, for a small school, were able to have some excellent teams and which made it fun.”

Nixon herself was an extremely strong athlete, earning multiple varsity letters in basketball and volleyball.

As a part of the volleyball team, she helped lead CHS to a CIF final appearance, which at the time was a far more difficult feat, as only one CIF Division existed.

“As a player, I think my favorite memories come from our run to the CIF finals in volleyball.” said Nixon. “It was a special time and a special season because back then, it was rare for any of our teams to get to the finals due to how the CIF system was set up. But what I always remember more than anything were the people and the friendships I made, and that have lasted my whole life. But I loved it, I loved it all, win, lose, or draw.”

Following a successful run as an Islander athlete, Nixon departed Coronado High School for college, where at the time, she never imagined she would one day return to CHS. But as so many of us have experienced in our early twenties, things changed.

As Nixon described, she thought she would go to college and earn a degree in business, which she did. However, after receiving her college degree and working for a year, Nixon was presented with the opportunity to coach the JV volleyball team for Coronado High School at just 22 years old. Where soon after, she decided to return to school and earn her teaching credential.

“My first coaching opportunity was a bit of an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me,” said Nixon. “I really enjoyed it, I enjoyed the kids, so I went back to get my teaching credential. Also, during that time, I helped run the clock for my dad while he was coaching JV basketball.”

Nixon also noted just how impactful her father and his time as a coach influenced her and her decision to return to CHS, initially saying, “My dad coached varsity golf, but other than that, he did not coach any other varsity sports, and what I learned from him was that mentality of that just because they’re not ‘the best’ you still change lives and the impact he had. And he influenced my philosophy that it’s not just about winning… there is so much more to sports than that.”

Soon after earning her teacher’s credential, Nixon was hired by CHS, where she would teach PE, history, and health while continuing to coach. During that time, Nixon stayed close to then Coronado Athletic Director Sandy Gunderson, helping still with JV basketball and the occasional football game. Sandy would remain persistent, telling Robin that once he retired, she should take the AD role.

“When he was getting ready to retire, he kept telling me I was the person and that I needed to do this,” Nixon recalled. “I wasn’t totally sold, thinking at first it was a little too much. But he eventually wore me down, and in 2007, I was hired as the new AD.”

Over the last 15-plus years, Nixon has headed the ship for one the state’s most successful high school athletic programs, helping bring in championship banner after championship banner. And while there is a laundry list of iconic sports moments that she’s witnessed, a pair stood out more than most.

“The two that I come back to are our lacrosse team beating Torrey Pines a few years back and then our boy’s varsity soccer team in 2022 beating Torrey Pines in the CIF Open Semi-Finals. Both were just gratifying games to come out and win as perceived underdogs. But really, I’ve been so blessed to be a part of and see so many championships in my tenure here.”

When Nixon departs us at the end of this year, she told us that there would be so many things that she does miss, but what she would miss the most are the relationships, saying, “The relationships with my colleagues and the kids is what I will miss the most. That’s what it’s all about. I’ve always tried to put the kids and our athletes first. And I hope that’s how people will remember me after I leave. That I was fair and that I was a champion for our programs, and that I was always there for our student-athletes.”

Robin Nixon embodies everything a Coronado Islander should strive to be. For years she has dedicated her time to this school and its student-athletes, and it has shown every day. The impact that she has left on CHS sports won’t ever be forgotten.

So, the next time you think of Coronado High School sports, hopefully, you think of Robin Nixon and her years of selfless work to better countless programs and student athletes.