If you're a football fan, there's a good chance you've either heard of John Robinson or at leasthave him to thank for paving the way for your favorite players and coaches we see today. Unfortunately, one of the best football coaches in American history has passed away.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that John Robinson has passed away from complications of pneumonia at age 89.

He was most famous for having coached the USC Trojans in the NCAA and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. Both teams released statements mourning his passing.

We are heartbroken to share that former Los Angeles Rams head coach John Robinson passed away earlier today. Our thoughts are with Coach Robinson’s family and friends, and all who he impacted throughout his storied career. pic.twitter.com/OLh1NaK262

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 12, 2024

USC Trojans

Robinson's career as a football coach started in 1960 as an assistant for the Oregon Ducks. By 1976, he was a head coach for the prestigious University of Southern California.

In 1976, USC's head coach John McKay left USC to go to the NFL and coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. USC needed a head coach, so they hired John Robinson away from the NFL's Oakland Raiders, where Robinson had been serving as running backs coach.

Robinson coached the team from 1976 to 1982. During that time period, the Trojans were led to three conference titles and five bowl games.

By the time Robinson retired following the 1982 season, USC had won a National Championship and a total of 67 games over just seven years. Robinson's team lost just 14 and tied two contests during that time.

Los Angeles Rams

It was clear that Robinson knew what he was doing when it came to coaching football, so the Los Angeles Rams took a chance on him and hired them as their head coach, despite Robinson not having been affiliated with the NFL for almost a decade.

Until Sean McVay became the Rams' head coach in 2017 and eventually led them to a Super Bowl title, Robinson was considered perhaps the greatest coach in the franchise's history. He earned that title, as the Rams reached the playoffs in six out of Robinson's first seven seasons and even reached the conference championship twice.

Both times Robinson and his team were defeated by the future Super Bowl champions, the Chicago Bears in 1985 and the San Francisco 49ers in 1989.

Perhaps Robinson's most famous move as coach of the Rams was to draft one of the best players in franchise history, Eric Dickerson. After being drafted in 1983, Dickerson rushed for over 7,000 yards in just over four seasons with the team.

Robinson's success in coaching running backs wasn't just relegated to the legendary Dickerson, however. Even after Dickerson departed, the Los Angeles Rams STILL had the league's leading rusher. This time, it was Charles White. Greg Bell would become the team's leading rusher in the next two seasons, eclipsing 1,000 yards in both of them.

After reaching the conference championship in 1989, Robinson's Rams started to decline over the next two seasons, which ended with Robinson being fired after the 1991 season. Robinson never won the Super Bowl, but until McVay passed him in 2024, Robinson was the coach with the most wins in franchise history.

Back to USC

Robinson couldn't stay out of football for long, and returned to coach USC in 1993. He remained there until he was let go following the 1997 season. John Robinson would coach his final seasons in the NCAA with the UNLV Runnin' Rebels. He then spent time coaching High school football in San Marcos, California.

If you enjoy the American football we get to see on television every fall weekend, then you probably have John Robinson to thank for influencing the game we see today. Rest in peace, Coach.