Eddie Robinson, who sent more than 200 players to the NFL and won 408 games during a 57-year career, died Tuesday in Ruston, La. He was 88.

Robinson career spanned 11 presidents, several wars and the civil-rights movement.

His earlier records were what people remembered: in 57 years, Robinson set the standard for victories, going 408-165-15. John Gagliardi of St. John’s, Minn., passed Robinson in 2003 and has 443 wins.

Robinson said he tried to coach each player as if he wanted him to marry his daughter.

He began coaching at Grambling State in 1941, when it was still the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute. Grambling first gained national attention in 1949 when Paul “Tank” Younger signed with the Los Angeles Rams and became the first player from an all-black college to enter the NFL. Suddenly, professional scouts learned how to find the little school 65 miles east of Shreveport near the Arkansas border.

Robinson’s NFL alumni included seven first-round draft choices and former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, who succeeded Robinson as Grambling ‘s head coach in 1998. Others went to the Canadian Football League and the now-defunct USFL.

Robinson’s pro stars included Willie Davis, James Harris, Ernie Ladd, Buck Buchanan, Sammy White, Cliff McNeil, Willie Brown, Roosevelt Taylor, Charlie Joiner, and Willie Williams.

Robinson said he was inspired to become a football coach when a high school team visited the elementary school Robinson attended.

Robinson was forced to retire after the 1997 season, after the once perennial powerhouse fell on tough times. His final three years on the sidelines brought consecutive losing seasons for the first time, an NCAA probe of recruiting violations and four players charged with rape.