John A. Robinson

Biography

John Alexander Robinson carved out his legacy not as a player but as one of college football's most successful coaches, winning national championships and Rose Bowls across multiple decades while mastering both the collegiate and professional ranks. Born on July 25, 1935, in Chicago, Robinson grew up in Daly City, California, attending Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic school with future Hall of Fame coach John Madden, his lifelong friend. At Junípero Serra High School, he excelled before heading to the University of Oregon, where he played reserve tight end on the Ducks' 1958 Rose Bowl team. Robinson saw minimal playing time, entering only for the final play of Oregon's heartbreaking 10-7 loss to top-ranked Ohio State, yet he called the experience "like a dream for me" that ignited his passion for the game. Robinson's coaching odyssey began at Oregon as an assistant under Len Casanova and Jerry Frei (1960-1971) before becoming USC's offensive coordinator (1972-1974) under John McKay. The Trojans went 31-3-2 with two national championships and two Rose Bowl victories. After one season with the Oakland Raiders as running backs coach (1975), Robinson succeeded McKay at USC (1976-1982), posting a remarkable 67-14-2 record with three Rose Bowl victories and a 1978 national championship. His trademark power running game produced Heisman winners Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981). As the Los Angeles Rams head coach (1983-1991), Robinson reached the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons, advancing to the NFC Championship Games in 1985 and 1989. He selected Eric Dickerson second overall in 1983, who rushed for an NFL-record 2,105 yards in 1984 while leading the league in rushing three times. Robinson's 79 career wins stood as the franchise record until Sean McVay surpassed him in 2024. Returning to USC (1993-1997), Robinson won three consecutive bowls, including the 1996 Rose Bowl, before his dismissal via an answering machine message. At UNLV (1999-2004), where he inherited a 16-game losing streak, Robinson led the Rebels to a 2000 Las Vegas Bowl victory and served as athletic director (2002-2003). In 2010, Robinson became the defensive coordinator at San Marcos High School, his only high school coaching position. Following his retirement, Robinson worked for three decades with the Sports USA Radio Network as a color analyst and served on the Lott IMPACT Trophy board. He joined LSU as a senior consultant (2019-2021) under Ed Orgeron. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2003, Robinson died on November 11, 2024, in Baton Rouge from pneumonia complications at age 89.