Robinson to Enter the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame

John Robinson, who led USC to a share of the 1978 national title and a 4-0 record in Rose Bowl games during his two stints as Trojan coach, will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame during a luncheon at the stadium today.

Robinson coached at USC from 1976 to ’82 and from 1993 to ’97. He compiled a 104-35-4 record with the Trojans, including a 41-32 victory over Northwestern in the 1996 Rose Bowl, the Trojans’ last appearance in the game.

Robinson also coached in three Rose Bowls as an assistant under John McKay.

On Tuesday, Robinson attended top-ranked USC’s final practice before Thursday’s Rose Bowl matchup against No. 4-ranked Michigan.

Robinson, head coach at Nevada Las Vegas, said it would be a memorable day for Trojan players.

“This will be one of the greatest days in their life,” Robinson said of the New Year’s Day game. “If a couple play in the Super Bowl, that probably would be better, but this is about as good as it gets.

“I played for Oregon in the ’58 Rose Bowl. I played the last play of the game. I thought that was the greatest thing in the world. It’s good stuff.”

Robinson was last on campus in August when he attended USC’s annual “Salute to Troy” event, during which the 1978 national championship team was honored.

Several players on the 1978 team have said that the enthusiasm and joy displayed by this year’s Trojan team is reminiscent of Robinson’s teams in the ‘70s.

Robinson concurred.

“You see it on this team, certainly, that they have fun and that there’s an exuberance about them,” he said. “Some years you have it, some years you don’t. Some teams respond, some don’t.”

Former Oregon quarterback Danny O’Neil also will be inducted today.

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Don’t count wide receiver Mike Williams among those bucking for a playoff system in college football.

“I think it’s fine the way it is,” Williams said. “Overall, it’s fine. It’s not that serious. It’s a blessing just to be playing.”

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Monte Kiffin, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator, attended the Trojans’ practice.

Kiffin is a longtime friend and colleague of Coach Pete Carroll and the father of receivers’ coach Lane Kiffin.

Monte Kiffin said he watched tape of Michigan with Carroll but did not offer any advice.

“He’s already got his game plan all set,” Kiffin said.

Kiffin, rumored to be a candidate for the head coaching job at Nebraska, said he thought interim Coach Bo Pelini would get the job.

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Malaefou MacKenzie, Sultan McCullough and Kori Dickerson were among several former Trojan players watching practice. Mackenzie said Carson Palmer and Troy Polamalu were hoping to arrive today.