Mike Robinson on South County Basketball, Coaching His Son & Another State Run

South County basketball coach Mike Robinson joins me for a candid conversation about the Stallions’ run to the state semifinals, coaching his son Mikey, and what comes next for one of Northern Virginia’s most consistently successful programs.Robinson — a former Purdue standout under Gene Keady and a two‑time state championship coach — reflects on why he considered retiring after Mikey graduated, and how his current group convinced him to stay. He talks about the challenge of coaching his son, from pushing him hard on the court to learning when to leave basketball at the door at home.We revisit South County’s 2025–26 postseason, including the dramatic regional semifinal win over Lake Braddock, the regional title against Edison, and the state semifinal loss to a talented Lansdowne squad. Robinson explains why an early setback against West Springfield may have been the turning point — and how losing can expose issues that winning tends to hide.He also dives into the changing landscape of high school basketball, the rise of academy programs, South County’s growing school‑wide sports culture, players he felt were overlooked last season, and a potential 2026–27 breakout star: Khalil Smith.NOVA Legends® Podcast is proudly sponsored by Foley Mechanical, the DMV’s elite HVAC company.