Legendary USC Football Coach John Robinson Dies
November 11, 2024 | Football
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 spread over 12 years at Troy (1976-82 and 1993-97), recording more victories than any USC gridiron coach except John McKay and Howard Jones. He was 4-0 in the Rose Bowl and earned 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 twice was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1976 and 1978) and earned National Coach of the Year honors 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 the 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 with the USC athletic department. He also served as a senior consultant with the LSU football program when the Tigers won the national title in 2019.
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 following this college football season.
A Celebration of Life for Coach John Robinson will be held:
Wednesday, Feb. 12
2:30 p.m. PT
Mariners Church
5001 Newport Coast
Irvine, Ca. 92603
Contact For More Information:
Pete Donovan
Plays4pars@aol.com
Quotes on John Robinson:
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 spread over 12 years at Troy (1976-82 and 1993-97), recording more victories than any USC gridiron coach except John McKay and Howard Jones. He was 4-0 in the Rose Bowl and earned 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 twice was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1976 and 1978) and earned National Coach of the Year honors 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 the 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 with the USC athletic department. He also served as a senior consultant with the LSU football program when the Tigers won the national title in 2019.
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 following this college football season.
A Celebration of Life for Coach John Robinson will be held:
Wednesday, Feb. 12
2:30 p.m. PT
Mariners Church
5001 Newport Coast
Irvine, Ca. 92603
Contact For More Information:
Pete Donovan
Plays4pars@aol.com
Quotes on John Robinson:
USC Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen — "Words are inadequate for a person that has impacted your life in such a way; you can't even describe it. The impact John had on his players, particularly 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 ever. I always wanted to go to USC, and my time there was better than I could've ever imagined – and he made it special.
"It's a sad day, but it's also a day of celebration of a great man."
"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 ever. I always wanted to go to USC, and my time there was better than I could've ever imagined – and he made it special.
"It's a sad day, but it's also a day of celebration of a great man."
USC First Team All-American safety Ronnie Lott – "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. 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. This is a sad day for all of the Trojans that played for him, but it's a great day for God that He has one of the best coaches ever 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 the Rose Bowl, Win a National Championship.' My initial reaction was, 'Whoa, 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 with people. He made you want to play hard for him and to run through walls. You cared for him because he cared so much for you."
USC head coach Lincoln Riley – "It's a tough day. One of the greatest things at our university and our football program is honoring all of the greats that have come before – the coaches, the players and everyone that has made this place special. Days like this are especially 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 offer his family condolences and let them know that we appreciate Coach, and he will forever be a 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. Those are things you need not just in football, but also in life. Those are true life lessons that were taught to us under John Robinson."
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 the Rose Bowl, Win a National Championship.' My initial reaction was, 'Whoa, 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 with people. He made you want to play hard for him and to run through walls. You cared for him because he cared so much for you."
USC head coach Lincoln Riley – "It's a tough day. One of the greatest things at our university and our football program is honoring all of the greats that have come before – the coaches, the players and everyone that has made this place special. Days like this are especially 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 offer his family condolences and let them know that we appreciate Coach, and he will forever be a 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. Those are things you need not just in football, but also in life. Those are true life lessons that were taught to us under John Robinson."
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