Robinson improves after heart surgery

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

UNLV athletic director and head football coach John Robinson could be headed home from the hospital as soon as today but most likely Thursday, according to his wife, Linda.

Robinson, 67, underwent a surgical procedure Monday to remove a blockage in the right artery of his heart at St. Rose Dominican Hospital (Rose de Lima campus) in Henderson after complaining of chest pains. A cardiogram was performed and detected the blockage.

"All he wants to think about right now is spring football," Linda Robinson said Tuesday night before rejoining her husband at the hospital. "We don't have a time for his release yet, but it could be (today) or Thursday. Personally, I'd prefer he stay in until Thursday so he could get some more rest."

Robinson remained in the intensive care unit Tuesday so his progress could continue to be closely monitored. He felt well enough to make several business calls before his wife as well as his physician, Dr. Joe Johnson, urged him to slow down.

Johnson expects Robinson to recover in time to be back on the sidelines when the Rebels begin spring football drills March 25 at Rebel Park.

Linda Robinson said her husband will be placed on a strict diet and exercise regimen when he is released.

"Oh yeah, there are going to be some changes to his diet," she said. "I'm going to be the general when it comes to what he can and can't have to eat. We've already got a menu put together of what he can have."