Former USC, Arizona, Tulane and Missouri coach Larry Smith died Monday, succumbing to leukemia and lymphoma.Smith coached for the greater part of two decades, compiling a 143-126-7 (.531) career record between 1976 and 2000. He is fondly remembered at Arizona for starting the first five of a ten-game win streak against rival Arizona State.
He also coached USC to within two games of the national championship in 1988 before falling to Notre Dame in the season finale and Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans finished with a 10-2 record that year.
Smith left football after the 2000 season, retiring to Arizona. He spent the last two years as an analyst for an Arizona television station.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-13-2008 @ 8:02AM
Phil said...
R.I.p
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1-28-2008 @ 10:30PM
Ferd Kirchner said...
Coach Larry Smith was a great American.
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1-28-2008 @ 10:56PM
scott said...
coach smith was a great coach,,,,, he helped put usc football back on the right track the trojans were down untill he got there and brought them back ,,,you'll be miss by all us great usc fans and college football fans all over the country ,,,,fight on
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1-29-2008 @ 11:20AM
Bluezman said...
Larry Smith was a class act and though he was treated badly by my favorite school, he never complained publicly or bad-mouthed the school though he had every right to.
I was sad when he left and I was sad about the way he left but at least we can all honor the memory of a great man and a great coach.
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1-30-2008 @ 8:28AM
Rusty Price said...
Our condolences to the Smith family and to all of those who admired his character from afar. Larry Smith will be greatly missed.
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