John Robinson, the longtime football coach who enjoyed many years of success at USC and with 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, from complications of pneumonia, USC said in a news release.
Robinson is high on the short list of football coaches who enjoyed significant success at both the college and professional levels. He went 104-35-4 at USC and 75-68 with the Rams, winning postseason games and competing for championships regularly with both teams. Robinson was particularly successful in bowl games, going 8-1 in the postseason with USC and UNLV.
“Coach Robinson was one of the greatest college coaches of all time, and his love for USC and his love for football was second to none,” said Ronnie Lott, an All-American safety under Robinson at USC. “I always felt that while I was playing for him, he gave us the ability to feel like we were larger than life. And his commitment to making sure we had more than just football in our lives was far superior.”
Robinson was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame for his two successful tenures at USC. He also became the winningest coach in Rams history during his nine years with the NFL club. Sean McVay surpassed Robinson’s career win total just last month.
Robinson coached at USC from 1976 to 1982 and again from 1993 to 1997. He never had a losing record at the school and his Trojans won five conference titles and four Rose Bowls. Running backs Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981) won the Heisman Trophy while playing in Robinson’s relentless rushing offenses.
“Coach Robinson was very demanding, but in a human sense,” said Paul McDonald, the quarterback of Robinson’s magnificently talented 1979 USC team. “He had great interpersonal skills and knew how to connect with people. He made you want to play hard for him and walk through walls. You cared because he cared so much about you.”
Robinson moved to 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 at SoFi Stadium on Monday night before facing the Miami Dolphins.
Robinson spent six seasons coaching UNLV after his second tenure at USC, and also served as the Rebels’ athletic director. He was most recently a senior consultant at LSU from 2019 to 2021 during coach Ed Orgeron’s tenure.
Robinson was born on July 25, 1935 in Chicago and grew up in the Bay Area, attending high school with his close friend John Madden and graduating from high school in 1954. He played tight end on the Rose’s championship team Oregon Bowl in 1958 before beginning his career. coaching career with the Ducks.
He became John McKay’s offensive coordinator at USC in 1972, coaching the consensus undefeated 1972 national championship team and the 1974 team that went 10-1-1. Robinson left the Trojans for a year to join Madden with the Oakland Raiders, but returned to USC in 1976 when McKay took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Robinson led USC for seven outstanding seasons, winning the Pac-8 or Pac-10 title and the Rose Bowl in three of his first four years in charge. His 1978 team was named national champion by the UPI coaches poll, while Bear Bryant’s Alabama won the AP title. Robinson coached a long list of stars during his tenure, from White and Allen to Pro Football Hall of Famers Lott, Anthony Muñoz and Bruce Matthews.
Robinson continued winning in 1983 when he moved to the Rams, who played their home games in Anaheim, California. With an offense led by Eric Dickerson, Robinson’s teams racked up six playoff appearances and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions in two conference title games.
Robinson’s second tenure at USC included a fourth Rose Bowl victory, but the school fired him after the 1997 season.
He then coached UNLV from 1999 to 2004, taking over a program that had lost 16 straight games. He led the Rebels to just the third bowl appearance in school history in just his second season, but he walked away after the 2004 season with a 28-42 school record. One of his most notable victories was a 23-5 victory at 14th ranked Wisconsin in 2003.
“Football lost a legend today,” UNLV athletic director Erick Harper said. “Coach Robinson was revered by his players, teammates, fans and co-workers. He led a wonderful life on and off the football field in many places, including here at UNLV as a coach and administrator. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family as we remember everything he did for the sport nationally and here in Las Vegas.
Robinson spent many years between coaching jobs in television and radio broadcasting. He returned to football five years ago at LSU as a consultant to Orgeron, the former USC coach.
Robinson is survived by his wife, Beverly, his four children, two stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.
A celebration of Robinson’s life will be held after the college football season, in accordance with his wishes.
