NCAA Football

Former ASU Coach Bruce Snyder Dies

Sad news out of Tempe where Arizona State has announced that former football coach Bruce Snyder has died at the age of 69. Snyder was diagnosed with cancer last June. Snyder coached nine seasons with the Sun Devils (1992-2000) and 20 overall. His 58 victories at ASU are second only to Frank Kush's 176.

Snyder also coached at Utah State and California before joining the Sun Devils. His signature season was in 1996 when ASU held a 17-13 lead over Ohio State in the Rose Bowl before surrendering a last-second touchdown that spoiled their chance at a national championship. He left after 2000 but was remembered for coaching a slew of NFL players, All Americans and ASU greats Pat Tillman, Jake Plummer and Terrell Suggs.

Since his departure, ASU has struggled to reach similar heights as that 1996 team with coaches Dirk Koetter and Dennis Erickson.

Snyder is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Deaths in Sports

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    Gus Cifelli, March 26: The former offensive lineman, here in a handout photo from Notre Dame, helped win three national titles for the Irish. He died of natural causes.

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    Shane McConkey, March 26: The legendary big mountain skier and BASE jumper, pictured here in October 2007, died Thursday in a ski-BASE accident in the Italian Dolomites.

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