John Robinson, the veteran football coach who enjoyed many years of success at USC and with the Los Angeles Rams, has died. He was 89 years old.

The Rams confirmed Robinson’s death on Monday. He died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, of complications from pneumonia, USC said in a news release.

Robinson tops the short list of football coaches who have enjoyed significant success in both the college and professional ranks. He went 104-35-4 at USC and 75-68 with the Rams, winning postseason games and regularly competing for championships with both teams. Robinson was particularly successful in bowl games, going 8-1 in the postseason with USC and UNLV.

“Coach Robinson was one of the greatest college coaches of all time, and his love for USC and his love for football was second to none,” said Ronnie Lott, an All-American safety under Robinson at USC . “I 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 we had more than football in our lives was so superior.”

Robinson was a member of the College Football Hall of Fame for his two successful tenures at USC. He also became the winningest coach in Rams history during his nine-year tenure with the NFL club. Sean McVay surpassed Robinson’s career win total just last month.

Robinson coached at USC from 1976 to 1982 and again from 1993 to 1997. He never had a losing record at the school, and his Trojans won five conference titles and four Rose Bowls. Running backs Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981) won the Heisman Trophy while starring in Robinson’s relentless offenses.

“Coach Robinson was very demanding, but in a human way,” said Paul McDonald, quarterback on Robinson’s superbly talented 1979 team at USC. “He had great interpersonal skills and he knew how to connect with people. He made you want to play hard for him and run through walls. You cared for him because he cared so much about you.”

Robinson moved to the Rams in 1983 and made the playoffs in six of his first seven seasons, winning four playoff games and advancing to two NFC Championship games.

The Rams held a moment of silence for Robinson at SoFi Stadium on Monday night before taking on the Miami Dolphins.

Robinson spent six seasons coaching UNLV after his second stint at USC, also serving a stint as the Rebels’ athletic director. He was most recently a senior consultant at LSU from 2019 to 2021 under coach Ed Orgeron.

Born July 25, 1935, in Chicago, Robinson grew up in the Bay Area, attending prep school with close friend John Madden and graduating from high school in 1954. He played tight end on Oregon’s 1958 Rose Bowl championship team before he- and it begins. coaching career with The Ducks.

He became John McKay’s offensive coordinator at USC in 1972, coaching the consensus undefeated 1972 national championship team and the 1974 team that went 10-1-1. Robinson left the Trojans for a year to join Madden with the Oakland Raiders, but returned to USC in 1976 when McKay took over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Robinson coached USC to seven outstanding seasons, winning the Pac-8 or Pac-10 title and the Rose Bowl in three of his first four years at the helm. His 1978 team was named national champion by the UPI Coaches Poll, while Bear Bryant’s Alabama won the AP title. Robinson coached a long list of stars during his tenure, from White and Allen to Pro Football Hall of Famers Lott, Anthony Muñoz and Bruce Matthews.

Robinson continued to win in 1983 when he moved to the Rams, who played their home games in Anaheim, California. With an offense led by Eric Dickerson, Robinson’s teams made six playoff appearances and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champions in two games for the conference title.

Robinson’s second tenure at USC included a fourth Rose Bowl victory, but the school fired him after the 1997 season.

He then coached UNLV from 1999 to 2004, taking over a program that had lost 16 straight games. He led the Rebels to their third bowl appearance in school history in just his second season, but retired after the 2004 season with a 28-42 school record. One of his most notable wins was a 23-5 win over No. 14 Wisconsin in 2003.

“Football lost a legend today,” said UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper. “Coach Robinson was revered by his players, teammates, fans and peers. He has led a wonderful life on and off the football field in so many places, including here at UNLV, both as a coach and as an administrator. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John’s. family as we remember all he has done for the sport nationally and right here in Las Vegas.”

Robinson spent many years between his coaching jobs on television and radio shows. He returned to football five years ago at LSU as a consultant to former USC coach Orgeron.

Robinson is survived by his wife, Beverly, his four children, two stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.

A celebration of Robinson’s life will be held after the college football season, in accordance with his wishes.