From all accounts, Robinson was a good dude. Sorry to see him go. My dad was a fan of his, being a USC and Rams fan forever. But my dad wasn't all that thrilled with him during his second stint at USC, as many weren't. Still, he did really well in the wake of John McKay, and he did well with the Rams too, despite never being able to get over the hump, mainly because of those great 49er teams.
The problem with JJR's second stint is he signed all of his friends, formr pros, to be coaches. They were all good players but had no experience at coaching. Pissed away some good talent, but he was a nice guy, very approachable.
JR was a great after dinner speaker. At the MMQB meetings he would be called up to say a few words in general or specifically about Saturdays game. He initially was not very impressive because he was over weight and stuttered a little bit. But he had great punch lines which had the audience rolling in the isles. Remember that El Doctor?? JR was a great communicator. Right SC?
Gerry Faust! One of my all-time fav games as an undergrad at the UO: Oregon vs Notre Dame at Autzen Stadium in his second year as HC at ND!
ND came to Oregon in 1982 expecting to crush Oregon, and Faust ended up kicking a FG with no time remaining to salvage a tie. Didn't get much better for him after that.
At first glance, Oregon's football team certainly gained more than Notre Dame's. The victory less Ducks earned credibility for their program. The Irish, ranked in the wire-service polls, entered the game with the fourth best defense in the nation, the first against the rush, but had to struggle just to pull even in the closing seconds. ''The tie, although not satisfying,'' said Rich Brooks, the Oregon coach, ''will help this team get some well-deserved respect.'' And perhaps some well-pursued recruits.
Bummer. I was fortunate to be at SC during his second stint. Not much discipline but loaded with talent. Won the Rosebowl and Keyshawn went 1 and Boselli 7 in draft. He went to Serra HSbin my conference… Lynn Swann, Brady, Bonds. I went to Bellarmine and Serra was always putting talent out..
A friend of mine who knew JR saw him and asked him if the rumors about him going to the Rams job was true (around ‘82 or ‘83?). “No, no, no, no…that’s never going to happen!” Two weeks later JR signs with the LAR. As JR gets into his new silver Cadillac El Dorado my buddy sees him and shakes his head. They both had a good laugh.
Most of the time I’d like your teams to eat $hit and die. But the legacy of football coaches including Jones, McKay and JR will ALWAYS have my respect.
May C. John Robinson RIP and condolences to his family. Surprised he passed away in La? He must have lived there? JR was always a S. Calif and West Coast guy. I liked his coaching style, class act. So many great memories while he was at USC.
From all accounts, Robinson was a good dude. Sorry to see him go. My dad was a fan of his, being a USC and Rams fan forever. But my dad wasn't all that thrilled with him during his second stint at USC, as many weren't. Still, he did really well in the wake of John McKay, and he did well with the Rams too, despite never being able to get over the hump, mainly because of those great 49er teams.
JR was a great after dinner speaker. At the MMQB meetings he would be called up to say a few words in general or specifically about Saturdays game. He initially was not very impressive because he was over weight and stuttered a little bit. But he had great punch lines which had the audience rolling in the isles. Remember that El Doctor?? JR was a great communicator. Right SC?
Yup! He was a good one!
Gerry Faust died on the same day. Incredible
God Bless his soul! 🙏❤ to his family. Great Trojan. ✌
Bummer. I was fortunate to be at SC during his second stint. Not much discipline but loaded with talent. Won the Rosebowl and Keyshawn went 1 and Boselli 7 in draft. He went to Serra HSbin my conference… Lynn Swann, Brady, Bonds. I went to Bellarmine and Serra was always putting talent out..
A friend of mine who knew JR saw him and asked him if the rumors about him going to the Rams job was true (around ‘82 or ‘83?). “No, no, no, no…that’s never going to happen!” Two weeks later JR signs with the LAR. As JR gets into his new silver Cadillac El Dorado my buddy sees him and shakes his head. They both had a good laugh.
Most of the time I’d like your teams to eat $hit and die. But the legacy of football coaches including Jones, McKay and JR will ALWAYS have my respect.
RIP John Robinson.
great man and very likeable guy
his players loved him
We quacks have a saying....Once a Duck, Always a Duck.
It applies here.
RIP, coach. And enjoy your reunion with fellow quacks Madden and McKay while you're up there!
Fight - and Quack - On
RIP. The JR2/Keyshawn years were fun. His first run was a little before my time.
Thanks BigBallss. .
I recall that Mike Garrett fired JR by leaving him a phone message. Remember that SC??
May C. John Robinson RIP and condolences to his family. Surprised he passed away in La? He must have lived there? JR was always a S. Calif and West Coast guy. I liked his coaching style, class act. So many great memories while he was at USC.
A lot of great memories from when he was head coach