Former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams John Robinson addresses the media in Los Angeles, Jan. 3, 1992.
Chris Martinez/AP
cover caption
toggle caption
Chris Martinez/AP
LOS ANGELES — John Robinson, the veteran soccer coach who loved a few years of success on the College of Southern California and with the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 89.
The Rams confirmed Robinson’s demise on Monday. He died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, of issues from pneumonia, USC stated in a launch.
Robinson is excessive on the quick listing of soccer coaches who loved vital success in each the faculty and professional ranks. He went 104-35-4 at USC and 75-68 with the Rams, successful postseason video games and contending for championships repeatedly with each groups. Robinson was notably profitable in bowl video games, going 8-1 within the postseason with USC and UNLV.
“Coach Robinson was one of many biggest school coaches ever, and his love for USC and his love for the sport of soccer was second to none,” stated Ronnie Lott, an All-American security beneath Robinson at USC. “I’ve all the time felt that whereas enjoying for him, he gave us the power to really feel like we had been bigger than life. And his dedication to creating positive that we had extra than simply soccer in our lives was so superior.”
Robinson was a member of the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame for his two profitable tenures at USC. He additionally turned the winningest coach in Rams historical past throughout his nine-year tenure with the NFL membership. Sean McVay handed Robinson’s profession victories complete solely final month.
Robinson coached at USC from 1976 to 1982 and once more from 1993 to 1997. He by no means had a dropping document on the faculty, and his Trojans received 5 convention titles and 4 Rose Bowls. Operating backs Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981) received the Heisman Trophy whereas enjoying in Robinson’s relentless speeding offenses.
“Coach Robinson was very demanding, however in a human method,” stated Paul McDonald, the quarterback of Robinson’s fantastically gifted 1979 staff at USC. “He had nice interpersonal expertise, and he knew methods to join with folks. He made you wish to play arduous for him and to run by partitions. You cared for him as a result of he cared a lot for you.”
Robinson moved to the Rams in 1983 and reached the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons, successful 4 playoff video games and advancing to 2 NFC championship video games.
The Rams noticed a second of silence for Robinson at SoFi Stadium on Monday night time earlier than they confronted the Miami Dolphins.
Robinson spent six seasons teaching UNLV after his second USC tenure, additionally serving a stint because the Rebels’ athletic director. He was most just lately a senior advisor at LSU from 2019 to 2021 throughout the tenure of head coach Ed Orgeron.
Robinson was born July 25, 1935, in Chicago, and he grew up within the Bay Space, attending prep faculty with shut good friend John Madden and graduating from highschool in 1954. He performed tight finish on Oregon’s 1958 Rose Bowl championship staff earlier than starting his teaching profession with the Geese.
Robinson turned John McKay’s offensive coordinator at USC in 1972, teaching the unbeaten 1972 consensus nationwide championship staff and the 1974 staff that went 10-1-1. Robinson left the Trojans for one 12 months to hitch Madden with the Oakland Raiders, however returned to USC in 1976 when McKay took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Robinson coached USC to seven excellent seasons, successful the Pac-8 or Pac-10 titles and the Rose Bowl in three of his first 4 years in cost. His 1978 staff was named nationwide champions by the UPI coaches’ ballot, whereas Bear Bryant’s Alabama received the AP title. He coached a protracted listing of stars throughout his tenure, from White and Allen to Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Lott, Anthony Muñoz and Bruce Matthews.
Robinson saved successful in 1983 when he moved to the Rams, who performed their residence video games in Anaheim, California. With an offense led by Eric Dickerson, Robinson’s groups racked up six playoff appearances and misplaced to the eventual Tremendous Bowl champions in two convention title video games.
Robinson’s second tenure at USC included a fourth Rose Bowl victory, however the faculty dismissed him following the 1997 season.
Robinson then coached UNLV from 1999-2004, taking up a program that had misplaced 16 video games in a row. He received the Rebels to solely the third bowl look at school historical past in simply his second season, however Robinson stepped away after the 2004 season with a 28-42 document on the faculty. Considered one of his extra notable victories was a 23-5 win at No. 14 Wisconsin in 2003.
“Soccer misplaced a legend right this moment,” UNLV director of athletics Erick Harper stated. “Coach Robinson was revered by his gamers, friends, followers and colleagues. He led an exquisite life on and off the soccer discipline at so many locations, together with right here at UNLV as each a coach and administrator. Our ideas and prayers exit to John’s household as we keep in mind all that he did for the game nationally and proper right here in Las Vegas.”
Robinson spent a few years between his teaching jobs in broadcasting on tv and radio. He returned to soccer 5 years in the past at LSU as a advisor to Orgeron, the previous USC coach.
Robinson is survived by his spouse, Beverly, his 4 kids, two stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.
A celebration of Robinson’s life might be held following the faculty soccer season, in accordance together with his needs.
