Education
Roberts attended Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Roberts attended Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He played for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1970 through 1972, and then in Minor League Baseball in 1972 and 1973. He returned to the Tar Heels as their coach, serving in the role from 1978 through 1998. At North Carolina, he played college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team as a catcher.
The Kansas City Royals selected Roberts in the 34th round of the 1972 MLB Draft.
He played for the Royals" organization in Minor League Baseball in 1972 for the Billings Mustangs of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, and in 1973 for the Waterloo Royals of the Class A Midwest League. Roberts became the head coach of the Tar Heels in 1978, and held the position through 1998.
Roberts then coached for the University of North Carolina Asheville Bulldogs for one season, and became the head coach of the Cotuit Kettleers of the collegiate summer baseball Cape Cod League. Roberts" son, Brian Roberts, played for him on the Tar Heels and went on to play in Major League Baseball.
A member of the Tar Heels from 1970 through 1972, Roberts was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference in all three seasons.