LOS ANGELES (AP) – John Robinson, a veteran football coach with many years of success at the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 89 years old.
The Rams confirmed Robinson’s death on Monday. He died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, of complications from pneumonia, the University of Southern California said.
Robinson is high on the short list of football coaches who have had great success in both the college and professional ranks. He went 104-35-4 with USC and 75-68 with the Rams, winning postseason games and regularly contending for championships with both teams. Robinson was particularly successful in bowl games, going 8-1 in the postseason at USC and UNLV.
“Coach Robinson was one of the greatest coaches in university history, and his love for USC and the game of football was second to none,” said Ronnie, an All-American safety under Robinson at USC. Lott said. “While playing under him, I have always felt that he gave us the ability to feel that we were larger than life, and ensured that there was more than football in our lives. His efforts to incorporate it were very good.”
Robinson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his two successes at USC. He also became the winningest coach in Rams history during his nine-year tenure with the NFL club. Sean McVay surpassed Robinson’s career win total just last month.
Robinson coached at USC from 1976-1982 and 1993-1997. He never lost at the school, and his Trojans won five conference titles and four Rose Bowls. Running backs Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981) won Heisman Trophies while playing in Robinson’s relentless rushing offense.
“Coach Robinson was very demanding, but in a humane way,” said Paul McDonald, a highly talented quarterback on Robinson’s 1979 USC team. “He had great people skills and knew how to connect with people. He played hard for him and made you want to run through walls. He cared so much that you cared about him too.”
Robinson joined the Rams in 1983 and made the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons, winning four playoff games and advancing to two NFC Championship Games.
The Rams held a moment of silence for Robinson on Monday night at SoFi Stadium before their game against the Miami Dolphins.
After his second stint at USC, Robinson spent six seasons as UNLV’s coach and also served as the Rebels’ athletic director. He most recently served as a senior consultant at LSU from 2019-2021 during head coach Ed Orgeron’s tenure.
Robinson was born in Chicago on July 25, 1935, and grew up in the Bay Area, attending prep school with his best friend John Madden and graduating from high school in 1954. He played tight end on Oregon State’s 1958 Rose Bowl championship team before beginning his college career. He began his coaching career with the Ducks.
Robinson became John McKay’s offensive coordinator at USC in 1972, coaching the 1972 undefeated consensus national championship team and the 1974 team with a 10-1-1 record. Robinson left the Trojans for a year to join Madden’s Oakland Raiders, but returned to USC in 1976 when McKay took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Robinson coached USC for seven impressive seasons, winning Pac-8 or Pac-10 titles and the Rose Bowl in three of his first four years. His 1978 team was voted national champion by the UPI coaches, and Bear Bryant’s Alabama won the Associated Press title. He coached a number of star players during his tenure, from White and Allen to Pro Football Hall of Famers Lott, Anthony Munoz and Bruce Matthews.
Robinson continued to win in 1983 when he joined the Rams, who played their home games in Anaheim, California. With an offense led by Eric Dickerson, Robinson’s teams made the playoffs six times, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions in two conference title games.
Robinson won his fourth Rose Bowl during his second tenure at USC, but the school fired him after the 1997 season.
Robinson then coached UNLV from 1999 to 2004, taking over a program that had lost 16 straight games. Robinson led the Rebels to their third bowl appearance in school history in his second season, but left after the 2004 season with a 28-42 record. One of his most notable wins was a 23-5 victory over No. 14 Wisconsin in 2003.
“Football lost a legend today,” UNLV Director of Athletics Eric Harper said. “Coach Robinson was respected by his players, colleagues, fans and colleagues. He lived a remarkable life on and off the football field in many places, including here at UNLV as a coach and administrator. Our thoughts go out to John’s family and we remember everything he did for our sport nationally and here in Las Vegas.”
In between coaching jobs, Robinson spent years in television and radio broadcasting. He returned to football at LSU five years ago as a consultant to former USC coach Orgeron.
Robinson is survived by his wife, Beverly, four children, two stepchildren, and 10 grandchildren.
A celebration of Robinson’s life will be held after the college football season, per his wishes.
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