The UCLA family was saddened to learn of the passing of Greg Robinson, a longtime assistant on many of Coach Terry Donahue's best Bruin football teams (1982-89), on Wednesday at age 70.
Robinson coached football at the professional, college and high school level for four decades, winning a pair of Super Bowls (XXXII, XXXIII) as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (1995-2000). He also served as defensive coordinator for the NY Jets (1994), Kansas City Chiefs (2001-03), University of Texas (2004, 2013), Michigan (2009-10) and San Jose State (2014-15). From 2005-08, he was the head football coach at Syracuse. He embarked on his coaching journey at Cal State Fullerton (1977-79) and NC State (1980-81) after serving as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, the University of the Pacific.
In 1982, he returned to his native Los Angeles to take an assistant coaching position on the Bruin staff in charge of the defensive line. During his tenure in Westwood, he tutored some of UCLA's best linemen of the era in Mark Walen, Frank Batchkoff, Dave Randle, Chris Block, Jeff Glasser, Terry Tumey, Jim Wahler and Mike Lodish. Bruin teams won a school-record 10 games three times during that stretch and captured bowl game victories in each of his first seven seasons on staff, including wins in three Rose Bowl Games. The 1988 Bruins soared into the No. 1 spot in the national rankings and UCLA finished in the top 10 of the final AP poll following the 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988 campaigns.
The 1985 Bruin defense led the nation in rushing defense with an average of 70.3 yards per game, while holding nine opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. In 1987, the Bruins allowed 11 regular-season opponents an average of 85.1 yards on the ground to rank fourth nationally. The unit also rated 13th nationally in total defense that season. The 1988 Bruins ranked eighth in the nation against the run and limited five opponents to fewer than 40 net yards rushing. In the 1989 Cotton Bowl victory, Robinson's defensive front played a major role in holding Arkansas to just 42 net yards – 21 on the ground -- for the game.
Robinson is survived by his wife, Laura; his son, Dominic (Jonnell); his daughters, Lindsay Kupper (Jeff) and Leslie Mathewson (Chris); four siblings and six grandchildren.
A funeral Mass and burial will take place in Los Angeles at a time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries or St. Lucy's Parish in Syracuse.