Robinson gives up AD title at UNLV

LAS VEGAS, May 21 (UPI) -- Aging John Robinson, who has not been in the best of health, has stepped down as Athletic Director at Nevada-Las Vegas.

He will remain the school's football coach, and a search has begun for a new AD.

Robinson, 67, cited health and family concerns as reasons for giving up the AD's job.

"This was a very difficult winter for my family," Robinson said. "I had heart surgery in March just after my wife, Linda, had her surgery (in February). I am doing fine now, and her situation is not life-threatening, but it has definitely taken a toll on my life. I was stretched a little thin (doing both jobs) and not giving Linda the time I need to. She's going to be fine, but it is something I need to put in the forefront of my life. As head football coach, I am very excited about our team this year, which I think will be the best during my time here. Coming into summer and what is a quiet time for college athletics, the timing is right for this. I feel comfortable with this decision. If I've learned anything in my 17 months as AD, it is how talented the people are who work here -- the coaches and the staff. I want to thank President (Carol) Harter for her support. She has really been here for me as coach and athletic director. I think most coaches are on a temporary basis. I don't know that it makes sense for me to project anything. I don't know that it's a job that you look for security ever."

Robinson is the nation's 11th-winningest active coach in Division I-A football, and this fall heads into his fifth season at UNLV. The 2000 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year boasts a 124-62-4 college record that includes a 20-27 mark at UNLV. His 2000 Las Vegas Bowl victory gave him an 8-1 record in the postseason, making him the winningest bowl coach in major college history.

He built his reputation while at Southern California.

"I very much regret that John has to do this," Harter told the Las Vegas Sun, "but I completely understand and support it. I just have great empathy for what John and Linda are going through."

Fred Albrecht, the school's Vice President for University and Community Relations, will serve as interim athletics director for the second time in his distinguished career at the UNLV. Albrecht, a former Rebel men's tennis head coach, men's basketball assistant, and director of athletics fundraising, was also interim AD for part of 1995 as part of the transition from Jim Weaver to Charles Cavagnaro.