John Robinson, whose teams were twice penalized for rules violations in his first tenure at Southern Cal, has been rehired as coach to help the Trojans regain their football prestige.
Robinson, 57, had a 67-14-2 record in seven seasons, winning three Rose Bowls and three times guiding the Trojans to a No. 2 final ranking in the Associated Press college football poll."I'm not being brought in to save the program," Robinson said Sunday. "It's my opportunity to contribute what I can."
Robinson replaces Larry Smith, who resigned under pressure Friday after six years, a 44-25-3 record and a 24-7 loss to Fresno State in the Freedom Bowl.
Robinson signed a multiyear contract, but details weren't disclosed.
USC president Steven B. Sample has given Robinson three directives: graduate players, comply with NCAA rules and win.
The Trojans had problems obeying the rules the first time under Robinson. They were put on probation in 1980 because of a junior college transcript scandal that affected Southern Cal and five other Pacific-10 Conference schools.
They were punished again in 1982 and '83 - Robinson's last year and Ted Tollner's first as coach - for charges that included improper ticket sales.
"We had a problem here in the past and he said he would shoot me personally if he has to," Robinson joked, referring to Sample.
Memories of those past troubles apparently have faded for Robinson, who is popular with alumni who recall his 81.9 winning percentage.
Neither Sample nor athletic director Mike McGee were around then.
"Tradition is a big part of this program," Robinson said. "Our expectation has to be very high."
After leaving Southern Cal following the 1982 season, Robinson coached the Los Angeles Rams for nine years. His teams had a 79-74 record in nine seasons, but an 8-24 mark in his last two years cost him the job.
While Robinson had the Rams among the NFL's elite, Southern Cal had rough going. Although Tollner (26-20-1 from 1983-86) and Smith had winning records, they were a combined 2-6 in bowls and had losing marks against Southern Cal's top rivals, Notre Dame (0-10) and UCLA (4-5-1). Robinson was 6-1 against Notre Dame and 5-2 against UCLA.
Southern Cal's loss in the Freedom Bowl was considered an embarrassment by alumni and fans, who also considered as major indignities the succession of losses to Notre Dame and UCLA in recent years.
"I think John Robinson brings to this post a reassertion of the Trojan tradition," Sample said.
McGee said Robinson first approached him in October for advice on returning to college coaching. Robinson spent 1992 as a television analyst with CBS.
Two weeks ago, Smith interviewed for the then-vacant Auburn coaching job. McGee then contacted Robinson about replacing Smith.
When the Auburn job went to Terry Bowden, McGee said he backed off in talks with Robinson. Smith then resigned under pressure.
Robinson said one of his first priorities is recruiting a standout tailback for Southern Cal's I-formation.
"Somebody's gonna carry the ball 30 times a game," Robinson said. "I'm gonna put up a stand next to those other Heisman trophies and get someone to fill it."