Robert Maddox was born in 1954 in the east Alabama town of Langdale. He attended Valley High School and graduated in 1972. Maddox played football and basketball for the Valley Rams.

He was a versatile athlete, starting on offense and defense at running back, defensive back, wide receiver and tight end. Maddox was a member of the Rams 1970 State Championship team.

Maddox played college football at Troy State University from 1974 through 1977, playing defense under defensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

His first coaching job came at Decatur High School as an assistant football and tennis coach for the 1977-78 seasons. In 1979 he served as a position coach at Troy for six seasons before being named the defensive coordinator in 1985.

Maddox was the head coach of the Troy State Trojans football team from 1988 through 1990. He had an overall 13-17 during his three years at the helm.

In 1991 Coach Maddox accepted the head football coaching position at his alma mater, Valley High School. He led the Rams for the next seven years with a record of 51-35. Six of his teams qualified for the playoffs while four won area titles.

His team had back-to-back playoff semi-final showings with a pair of powerhouse squads in 1991-92. The Rams fell to the Blount High Leopards in memorable games both years, led by former Auburn quarterback standout Dameyune Craig.

In 2000, he re-entered the college ranks as the defensive coordinator at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC, but returned to Alabama in 2002 as the head coach of the Auburn High School Tigers. Maddox replaced Dwight Jones, who resigned to take over a start-up football program at new Northside High in Columbus, GA.

At Auburn High, Maddox led the Tigers to four consecutive playoff appearances and won the region title in 2004. After four seasons at Auburn, Maddox left to take over the football program at Lee-Scott Academy, where he is currently serving as the head coach.

His overall coaching record is 148-122 in 24 seasons as a high school coach in Alabama. Eighteen of his teams qualified for the playoffs during his career.

As a christian, Coach Maddox credits Jesus Christ as the major influence in his life. He also was influenced by his father, Syrell Maddox, and "many of the coaches I have played for and worked with."

He was named the Alabama High School Football Coach of the Year for Class 5A in 1991. Coach Maddox was also named the Alabama Football Coaches Association Class 6A Coach of the Year in 2005.