Detroit Lions OC Candidate: Exploring pros and cons of Falcons OC Zac Robinson
This is our sixth piece in what will be an ongoing series, evaluating the pros and cons of the offensive coordinator candidates connected to the Detroit Lions’ vacancy.
Who: Zac Robinson
Age: 39
Background and coaching history: A three-star, dual-threat recruit out of Colorado, Robinson drew offers from several Big 12 schools before committing to play for Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State.
After redshirting his freshman year, he went on to appear in 45 games the next four years. Partnered with future first-round pick Dez Bryant, Robinson set since-broken school records for completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
A seventh-round selection in the 2010 NFL draft for the New England Patriots, Robinson was waived after training camp. He briefly bounced to Seattle and was eventually claimed off waivers by Detroit in early November. He stuck with the Lions through next season’s training camp, seeing limited action in the team’s four preseason games that year, where he completed 9-of-15 for 91 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
Robinson’s next and final stop of his playing career was Cincinnati, where he spent the better part of three years on the team’s practice squad, never appearing in a regular-season game. His career was ended by an elbow injury that required Tommy John’s surgery.
For the next several years, Robinson served as a QB trainer at The Quarterback Ranch in Dallas, Texas, while also evaluating and grading the position for Pro Football Focus.
In 2019, Rams coach Sean McVay interviewed Robinson and current Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski for the team’s vacant assistant QB position. Robinson earned the job, with Gradkowski backfilling Robinson’s role at Pro Football Focus.
Robinson spent five years with the Rams, working with the quarterbacks every year but 2020, when he helped with the team’s receivers. He also served as the team’s passing game coordinator in 2022 and 2023.
That led to an opportunity to be the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Raheem Morris, the Rams defensive coordinator from 2021-23, brought Robinson with him to Atlanta after being named the Falcons head coach.
Why he’d be a fit
Two things jump out immediately when weighing Robinson’s candidacy. First, he played the quarterback position. Maybe not at the highest level, but well enough at a Power 5 program to get drafted and stick in the league for several seasons.
Secondly, Robinson had a good enough mind for the game that he was hired without any previous coaching experience by McVay, one of the game’s brightest offensive coaches. And not only was Robinson hired, but he also climbed the ladder to the important passing-game coordinator role on McVay’s staff.