Legendary USC football coach John Robinson has died

On By Littum

Football | November 11, 2024

LOS ANGELES – John Robinson, one of USC’s most popular and successful football coaches, died today (Monday, Nov. 11) in Baton Rouge, La. of complications from pneumonia. He was 89.

Robinson guided the Trojans to the 1978 National Championship and into 8 bowl games. He won 74.1% of his games while compiling a 104-35-4 record during 2 coaching stints spanning 12 years at Troy (1976-82 and 1993-97), recording more wins than any other USC -coach with the exception of John McKay and Howard Jones. He was 4-0 in the Rose Bowl and won 5 Pac-10 titles.

He produced 24 All-American first teamers, 22 NFL first rounders, 2 Heisman Trophy winners (Charles White and Marcus Allen) and a Lombardi Award winner (Brad Budde) at USC. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2004, the College Football Hall of Fame and the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009, the Las Vegas Bowl Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2018. He was twice named to the Pac -10 Coach of the Year (1976 and 1978) and was awarded National Coach of the Year in 1979.

After spending 12 years (1960-71) as an assistant at Oregon, his alma mater, Robinson became a Trojan assistant for 3 seasons (1972-74) as Troy won a pair of national crowns.

He also served as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams (1983-91), twice advancing to the NFC title game and at UNLV (1999-2004), and was an assistant with the Oakland Raiders in 1975.

After coaching, he did analysis on college football national radio broadcasts and was a development officer in the USC athletic department. He also served as a senior consultant with the LSU football program when the Tigers won the 2019 national title.

Robinson is survived by his wife Beverly, his four children (daughters Terry Medina and Lynne Sierra and sons David and Chris) and two stepchildren (Jennifer Bohle and Jeffrey Ezell) and 10 grandchildren (Raimond, Reanne, Andrew, Matthew, Jeremy, Ryan, Jason, Pierce, Preston and Evangeline).

Per Robinson’s wishes, a celebration of life will be held after this college football season.

Quotes about John Robinson:

 

USC Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen — “Words are inadequate for someone who has impacted your life in such a way; you can’t even describe it. The impact John had on his players, especially myself, is so deep and profound. Knowing him was life-changing.

“He was a great man and a great coach. I love him so much. He was one of the greatest teachers, motivators and psychologists of all time. Everything we were on the field was a reflection of him.

“John Robinson is one of the greatest Trojans of all time. I always wanted to go to USC and my time there was better than I could have ever imagined – and he made it special.


“It’s a sad day, but it’s also a day of celebration for a great man.”

USC First Team All-American Safety Ronnie Lott – “Coach Robinson was one of the greatest college coaches of all time, and his love for USC and his love for the game of football was second to none. I always felt that while playing for him, he gave us the ability to feel as we And His commitment to making sure we had more than just football in our lives was so great. It’s a sad day for all the Trojans who played for him right by his side. “

USC First Team All-American quarterback Paul McDonald – “It’s a sad day for the Trojan family, a legend is gone and he will be missed. I remember my first team meeting under Coach Robinson during training camp. He wrote our goals on the board: “Beat UCLA, Beat Notre Dame, Win Rose Bowl, win a national championship.’ My first reaction was, ‘Wow, the bar is very high here!’


“Coach Robinson was very demanding, but in a human way. He had great interpersonal skills and he knew how to connect people. He made you want to play hard for him and run through walls. You looked after him because he cared for you so much.”

USC head coach Lincoln Riley – “It’s a tough day. One of the greatest things about our university and our football program is honoring all the greats who have come before – the coaches, the players and everyone who has made this place special. Days like this are special tough, but we can remember all the memories and incredible accomplishments that Coach Robinson was a part of here at USC. From our entire football family, we want to send our condolences to his family and let them know that we appreciate Coach and he will forever be one huge. part of USC football.”

Legendary USC offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz – “When I think about John Robinson, I think about the impact he had on us, not only as football players, but as individuals. I think about the things I learned at USC: how to prepare and how to compete. That are things you need not only in football, but in life as well. These are true life lessons that were taught to us under John Robinson.”