Robert V. Whitlow (November 7, 1918 – July 11, 1997) was an American military officer, football coach, university athletic director, and sports club executive.

Whitlow had a twenty-year career in the United States Air Force, and during World War II, saw combat as both a bomber and fighter pilot.

[1] Whitlow earned his pilot wings as a first class cadet (senior), and was assigned to heavy bombers because of his large stature after graduating in January 1943.

[4] In 1947, while assigned to the Air Staff at the Pentagon, Whitlow was selected for an officer exchange with the Mexican military academy, El Colegio Militar de Mexico.

[1] In 1955, Whitlow was appointed the head football coach and athletic director at the newly created United States Air Force Academy.

He wired the bowl organizers to inform them that the superintendent, Major General James Briggs, had "disapproved participation of [the] Air Force Academy football team in post-season competition" after consulting with The Pentagon.

[1] Whitlow retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1963 at the rank of colonel,[8] and was appointed as "athletic director" of the Chicago Cubs baseball club.

[12] In the 1980s, Whitlow was the president of the "Arizona Firebirds", a group of investors that sought to bring a National Football League expansion franchise to Phoenix.