Robinson hires former Trojan colleague as assistant coach

It took more than two months but new UNLV head football coach John Robinson finally has his coaching staff completed.

And it definitely has a Cardinal and Gold tinge to it, too.

UNLV announced today that John Jackson, 63, who last coached in 1981 with Robinson at USC, has been hired as assistant head coach and running backs coach.

The 1956 NYU graduate has spent the last 18 years as the right-hand man to Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Forum and a man who could frequently be spotted on the sidelines at USC football games during Robinson's first Trojan coaching stint (1976-82). Jackson was instrumental in starting and running the Forum Boxing program and also played a key roll in the development of Prime Ticket cable television in the '80s.

Jackson was running backs coach and offensive coordinator at USC from 1976-81 and helped develop two Heisman Trophy winners --- Charles White (1979) and Marcus Allen (1981). He also coached the late Ricky Bell, who once rushed for a then-NCAA record 347 yards on 51 carries in a 23-14 victory over Washington State in 1976 at the Kingdome.

Jackson's son, John Jr., also starred at USC and once held the school career reception mark that has since been surpassed by NFL stars Johnnie Morton and Keyshawn Johnson.

Of the nine coaches on Robinson's staff, five have ties to USC, including defensive coordinator Jeff McInerney, recruiting coordinator Joe Hubbard, linebackers coach Joe Barry, special teams/tight ends coach Jeff Kearin and Jackson. A sixth ex-Trojan, wide receivers coach DelVaughn Alexander, recently left UNLV to take a job as an assistant with the San Diego Chargers.

The rest of Robinson's staff includes Gene Dahlquist (quarterbacks, pass game coordinator), Mike Bradeson (defensive backs), Rob Boras (offensive line) and Steve Pearce (wide receivers).

UNLV begins spring practice on Saturday, March 20.

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