Despite Ram ties, Robinson plans to root for Tennessee

Think UNLV coach John Robinson will be rooting for his old NFL team, the St. Louis Rams, in Sunday's Super Bowl?

Wrong. And it has nothing to do with the fact Robinson was eventually fired after nine years with the then-Los Angeles Rams.

Although he still talks from time to time with Rams president John Shaw and has other friends in the organization, Robinson also has close ties to the AFC champion Tennessee Titans.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher played cornerback for Robinson on his 1978 USC national championship squad and later was his defensive coordinator for one year with the Rams in 1991. And Tennessee offensive lineman Bruce Matthews was an All-American offensive lineman at USC for Robinson. Matthews helped opened the holes for 1981 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Allen.

"I'm comfortable just sitting back and watching this one," said Robinson, who also coached Rams All-Pro defensive back Todd Lyght. "I kind of like to see the Rams do well. But I wish they were still back in Anaheim."

As for Fisher coaching the Titans to the Super Bowl, Robinson said it "seems like a long time ago" when he was playing defensive back in a secondary that also included future All-Pros Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith and Joey Browner.

"I didn't know if he'd go on to coach back then, but I remember Jeff being a very fierce and competitive individual," Robinson said. "I think he's taken those qualities along with him into coaching. It's nice to see him doing well."

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