Robbins, 36, a former All-Pac-10 Wildcat, member of the UA's Bank One Sports Hall of Fame and a 10-year National Football League veteran, will fill one of two slots vacated by Jeff Woodruff, who was named head coach at Eastern Michigan last month, and Pete Alamar, who joined Woodruff as offensive coordinator.

"We'll determine whether Randy joins our defense or offense staff when we complete the staff after recruiting," Tomey said. Spring signing date for national letters of intent is Feb. 2.

"We're thrilled to have someone with Randy's football experience and ability to communicate with young student-athletes. His experience is so much different than most graduate assistants -- he's had a proven NFL experience as a starter, and has been a high school head coach and worked closely with our staff for several years," Tomey said.

Robbins has worked with the UA defensive secondary the past two years after coaching at Casa Grande High School in 1996 and 1997.

He was a first-team all-league cornerback his senior year at Arizona in 1983 when he intercepted six passes. His four career TD interception returns were a Pac-10 record for 16 years until California's Delta O'Neal returned his fifth for a score this past season. He played in the 1984 Senior Bowl and was a fourth-round NFL selection of the Denver Broncos, for whom he played nine seasons. He closed his professional career with a season at New England in 1992.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity, whether it's with the defensive or offensive staffs," Robbins said. "It's very special to coach at my alma mater and a great challenge. I will grow as a coach."

Robbins was in private business for two years then was director of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Nogales, Ariz., for two years before returning to football as the head coach at CGHS.

Robbins earned a general business degree from Arizona in 1997. He was a 1990 inductee into the UA's Sports Hall of Fame and later served on the hall's selection committee. He and his wife, Debbie, have three young sons, Daniel, Randy and Josh.

Robbins is the 24th Arizona graduate assistant under Tomey to move into a full-time Division 1-A, 1-AA or junior college coaching position. Scott Schroeder leaves the staff shortly to join Woodruff as a full-time assistant. Woodruff is the sixth Arizona assistant under Tomey to move into a collegiate head coaching position, joining Ron McBride, Dave Fagg, Rip Scherer, Pat Hill and Rich Ellerson.