John Robinson was a football coach who had success at both the college and professional levels, leading USC to four Rose Bowl wins and coaching the Los Angeles Rams to two championship games.
- Died: November 11, 2024 (Who else died on November 11?)
- Details of death: Died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana of complications from pneumonia at the age of 89.
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John Robinson’s legacy
Robinson was a rare football coach who not only had success at both the college and professional levels, but whose tenure at a Big 10 school was broken up into two different periods of service.
Robinson attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Daly City, California with future Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden (1936–2021). He began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Oregon, in 1960. In 1972, he moved to the University of Southern California, first as offensive coordinator, then, after a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders in 1975 alongside Madden, its head coach. He served in the spot from 1976 to 1982, leading the team to three conference titles and five bowl games, including three Rose Bowl wins.
In 1983, Robinson made the jump to the NFL when he was hired as head coach of the Rams. He was a fast success, leading the squad to the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons, including two championship game appearances. When he was let go after two poor seasons in 1990 and 1991, he left with the most wins in team history, a mark that wasn’t surpassed until 2024.
Robinson returned to USC for another stretch as coach, winning three bowl games – including another Rose Bowl – during his second time leading the Trojans, from 1993 to 1997.
He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2003 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tributes to John Robinson
Full obituary: Los Angeles Times
