Legendary USC, Rams Head Coach John Robinson Passes Away at 89

Summary:

• Iconic head coach John Robinson, known for his tenure with USC and the Los Angeles Rams, passed away at age 89.
• Robinson died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, due to complications from pneumonia.
• His passing was confirmed by both USC and the Los Angeles Rams organizations.

John Robinson, the legendary head coach for both USC and the Los Angeles Rams, passed away on Monday at 89, as confirmed by USC and the Rams organization.

Robinson died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from complications related to pneumonia.

Robinson’s football coaching career began at USC in 1976 after earlier roles as an assistant with the Trojans, the Oregon Ducks, and the Oakland Raiders.

Over 12 seasons at USC, Robinson amassed a 104-35-4 record, making him the third-winningest coach in USC history.

He led the Trojans to a national championship in 1978, along with five Pac-10 titles, and went undefeated in the Rose Bowl with a 4-0 record.

During his tenure, Robinson coached Heisman Trophy winners Charles White and Marcus Allen, leaving a lasting legacy at USC.

In 1983, Robinson transitioned to the NFL, taking over the Los Angeles Rams after Ray Malavasi.

During nine seasons with the Rams, he compiled a 75-68 record and led the team to two NFC Championship games.

His 79 total wins with the Rams remained a franchise record until recently, when current head coach Sean McVay reached 80 wins.
Robinson’s time with the Rams ended after the 1991 season following two consecutive losing seasons.

Returning to college football, Robinson coached USC for a second stint from 1993 to 1997 before moving to UNLV as head coach from 1999 to 2004.

With the Rebels, he achieved a 28-42 record and led them to a single bowl appearance over six seasons. He also briefly served as UNLV’s athletic director.

Strong Ties to Football Post Coaching

After his coaching career, Robinson remained connected to football. He worked as a national college football analyst and later took on roles within USC’s athletic department, including as a development officer.

Robinson also served as a consultant for LSU under Coach Ed Orgeron, contributing to LSU’s national championship-winning 2019 season.

In 2009, Robinson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the USC Athletic Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in college football.

Reflecting on his career, Robinson told the Los Angeles Times earlier this year,

I enjoyed it. And I think that’s the big thing, that when you get a job, you enjoy it.

The LA Rams took to X to express their regret on the news: