Nov 122 min read

Legendary Coach John Robinson Passes Away at 89

John Robinson passed away on Nov. 11. In a coaching career that spanned more than four decades, the Oregon alumnus started off as an assistant coach for the Ducks, before two stints as the head man for the USC Trojans and eight years at the helm for the Los Angeles Rams. He also coached the UNLV Rebels and thereafter served as the university's athletic director.

John Robinson Accolades

With USC, Robinson was offensive coordinator from 1972 to 1974 and head coach from 1976 to 1982 and then again from 1993 to 1997. During his tenure at Southern Cal, the Trojans won three national championships (1972, 1974 and 1978) and six Rose Bowls (1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979 and 1995). He was named National Coach of the Year in 1979.

At UNLV in 2000, Robinson was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year, and in 2004, he was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

USC Accomplishments

While leading the Trojans, Robinson's record was 104-35-4. Only John McKay and Howard Jones guided USC to more victories on the gridiron.

Robinson coached two Heisman Trophy winners—Charles White and Marcus Allen. Additionally, during his 12 years as USC's head coach, he produced 24 first-team All-Americans.

NFL Coaching

Robinson spent a single year (1975) as an assistant coach for the Oakland Raiders. Then, in between his two coaching stints at USC, he coached the L.A. Rams from 1983 to 1991, twice leading the team to the NFC championship game.

Tributes

Robinson passed away in Baton Rouge, La. due to complications from pneumonia. Many prominent Trojans, including Allen and Ronnie Lott, paid tribute to Robinson after the announcement of his passing, praising his coaching abilities and the role he played in shaping their values and teaching them life lessons. "Coach Robinson was one of the greatest college coaches ever, and his love for USC and his love for the game of football was second to none," said Lott, an All-American safety under Robinson at USC. "I've always felt that while playing for him, he gave us the ability to feel like we were larger than life. And his commitment to making sure that we had more than just football in our lives was so superior."