By Mark Wallington
UNLV Assistant SID
"If ever a town was made for a person - it's Las Vegas for Coach Robinson. He's big time and Las Vegas is a big-time city and he's going to be great for UNLV football."
-- Former USC and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Rob Johnson
The answer drew light laughter from a room full of reporters assembled to interview UNLV's new football coach.
Asked why he got back into the college game the same year he turned 64 years old, John Robinson had said with a straight face that he could no longer simply hang out on the beaches of California because his surfing skills had eroded beyond repair.
Funny, yes, but also a good clue to why one of college football's most successful and recognizable citizens is back on campus - and this time bringing instant credibility to a university set in Las Vegas.
Turns out that John Robinson is a coach first and foremost. He simply thrives on the entire experience. Moving into an administrative desk or broadcast booth just wasn't going to do it for the former national champion. The guy needs coaching like the Strip needs neon.
"I think we all have thoughts of retiring and moving on to something else but I wanted to get back on the field," Robinson said. "I am a football coach."
It was that same sentiment that led to Robinson being hired on as the eighth head man in UNLV history on Dec. 3, 1998 -- a historic move for the team, school and entire Las Vegas Valley.
Still passionate about the game he teaches, Robinson's stunning move to the desert and subsequent courting of Southern Nevada's loyalties has rapidly mined a football spirit not before seen in the City of Lights. What's more, the ramifications of Robinson taking the Rebels' reigns are apparent not just locally, but also transcend beyond the West and into the highest reaches of the national college football scene.
"The hiring of John Robinson should be proof positive that UNLV is committed to its football program and is serious about its membership in the Mountain West Conference," UNLV President Dr. Carol C. Harter said.
Robinson heads into the 1999 season as the nation's sixth-winningest active coach with a career record of 104-35-4 for a percentage of .741. In addition, his 7-1 bowl record gives him a higher percentage in the postseason (.875) than any active college coach with a minimum of eight games.
And make no mistake -- this is no short-term stay for the legendary football figure.
"Timing is a big part of anything that happens in our lives," Robinson said.
"I think the timing for me was just perfect for this particular job. I've really gotten a sense that this city is on the move and this university is on the move. Also, in 10 years, the Mountain West Conference is going to be the equal of any conference in America. That is a safe bet."
It is also safe to say that the Rebels will be a bigger part of the national football landscape sooner than later.
"John has national name recognition," said former UCLA head coach Terry Donahue, who is now in the front office of the San Francisco 49ers. "He'll be able to attract big-time players and I wouldn't be surprised to see UNLV in the top 25 in a few years."
Broadcasting legend John Madden, who is a lifelong friend of Robinson's, echoed the sunny outlook when he came to town to play in his pal's celebrity golf tournament. "UNLV wanted to get back on track and John Robinson's the guy to do it," the former Super Bowl coach said. "He's been a super coach everywhere he's been. His enthusiasm has never waned. In fact, it's grown."
Robinson, who earned his 100th career victory at the University of Southern California in 1997 with a win vs. UNLV, had two stints with the Trojans. He first became head coach in 1976 and spent seven years leading Troy. His teams won 82 percent of their games in his original run while averaging nearly 10 wins a year. In fact, Robinson tied a NCAA record for most wins by a first-year head coach after his team went 11-1 and earned a Rose Bowl berth.
He won the 1978 national championship with a 12-1 mark, led the Trojans to three Pac-10 titles and guided Troy to five postseason bowls. Also, from 1978 through 1980, USC posted a school-record 28-game unbeaten streak.
Along the way, he coached two Heisman Trophy winners (running backs Charles White in 1979 and Marcus Allen in 1981) and a Lombardi Award honoree (guard Brad Budde in 1979). Also, Robinson was named National Coach of the Year in 1979 after an 11-0-1 campaign.
After spending four months as USC's senior vice president for university relations, Robinson headed to the NFL to take over the Los Angeles Rams. His stint in pro ball produced the most wins in Rams history. During his nine years with the club (1983-91), he reached the playoffs six times and twice advanced to the NFC championship game.
He spent one year as a television analyst before returning to USC for the 1993 season. His second term with the Trojans lasted until 1997 and featured three bowl victories, including the Rose Bowl title over Northwestern following the 1995 season that improved his career record in the "Grand Daddy of them All" to a sparkling 4-0.
Robinson began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Oregon, for 12 seasons. He then moved to USC to direct the school's offense for three years before serving as the backfield coach for the Oakland Raiders in 1975 under John Madden.
Considered an expert on the running game, Robinson has produced four NFL rushing champions and two NCAA rushing leaders. Overall, he has tutored 24 first-team All-Americans, 22 NFL first-round selections and 86 NFL draft picks.
Robinson has four grown children, daughters Teresa and Lynn and sons David and Christopher, and two step-daughters, Karilyn and Beth. The family also includes five grandsons and one granddaughter. Robinson's wife, Linda, is well on her way to being entrenched in the Las Vegas community. The former owner of her own modeling agency for 10 years, she has since founded two companies -- Aloha Greetings, which offers personally designed greeting cards, and Tuu Much Tu Tu, which specializes in personalized women's apparel. Half of all proceeds from both companies go toward the Linda and John Robinson Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded annually to a Clark County high school graduate interested in studying fine arts.
"We're excited about living here," Robinson said. "There is a spirit in this city that really impresses us. Linda and I are going to make these some of the best times of our lives."
And with his surfboard neatly tucked away for good, it seems John Robinson is back to doing just what he wants to do - being a coach.
"The fun of coaching is as enjoyable at UNLV as it was with the Los Angeles Rams or USC Trojans," he said. "I'm having as good a time now as I've had in my life."
