Robinson expected to go home this week

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, March 4, 2003 | 10:24 a.m.

UNLV football head coach and athletic director John Robinson is expected to be released from the hospital later this week after undergoing a surgical procedure Monday afternoon to remove a blockage in his right artery.

Robinson, 67, was said to be resting comfortably after the operation at St. Rose Dominican Hospital (Rose de Lima campus) in Henderson.

"Everything went perfectly," Dr. Joe Johnson said in a statement released by the school Monday night. "Coach Robinson will make a full recovery and is generally in excellent health. He should be released in two or three days."

Robinson mentioned during a doctor visit on Monday that he had been bothered by a discomfort in his chest. A cardiogram was performed which detected blockage in his right artery.

"He's doing fine," UNLV senior associate athletic director Jerry Koloskie said before Monday night's UNLV-Wyoming game in Laramie. "He went in for an exam with his doctors because he was feeling some discomfort. He had some chest pains. They got him in there and checked him. Then they thought he needed further testing.

"The doctor confirmed he had a blockage. He'll probably be in the hospital a couple of more days while they run some more tests. He should be fine."

Koloskie, a former UNLV trainer who is the No. 2 man in the athletic department under Robinson, doesn't believe the illness was caused by Robinson is maintaining two high profile jobs.

"I know a lot of people think being a head football coach and an athletic director may be too much," Koloskie said. "I don't think that's the case. I think it's more the lifestyle that coaches lead, doing the things he's been doing for 30-odd years, that we're all subject to in this business.

"It's just a stressful business whether you're a coach or an athletic director. I don't think having the dual role had anything to do with what happened."

Also adding to Robinson's stress wife Linda's recent surgery for breast cancer.

UNLV head basketball coach Charlie Spoonhour learned of Robinson's operation shortly before Monday night's 69-66 loss at Wyoming and said he would inform his squad on the bus trip to the airport after the game.

"I'm assuming it's not anything life threatening," Spoonhour said. "Obviously I worry about him but from what I've heard he'll be fine."

"It shouldn't be that big of an issue," Koloskie added. "Hopefully he'll be out of the hospital in a couple of days."