The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is saddened to learn of the passing of board member John Robinson, who had served on the Lott IMPACT® Trophy board of directors from the inception of the award in 2003.
Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott says of his former coach, “Coach Robinson was one of the greatest college coaches ever, and his love for USC and his love for the game of football was second to none.“ Lott continues, “I’ve 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 that we had more than just football in our lives was so superior. This is a sad day for all of the Trojans that played for him, but it’s a great day for God that He has one of the best coaches ever right by his side.”
The College Football Hall of Famer won 104 games as the head coach at USC across two different stints. Robinson won five Pac 10 championships and the 1978 National Championship. He also won four Rose Bowl Games, was National Coach of the Year in 1979 and twice was the Pac 10 Coach of the Year.
Robinson was 89 years old.
He is survived by his wife Beverly, his four children (daughters Terry Medina and Lynne Sierra and sons David and Chris) and two stepchildren (Jennifer Boyle and Jeffery Ezell) and 10 grandchildren.