Ex-MU Coach Larry Smith dies

siberian khatru · 01-28-2008, 05:12 PM

RIP

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...C?OpenDocument

Former Mizzou coach Larry Smith dies at 68

STLTODAY.COM SPORTS
01/28/2008

Larry Smith, whose seven-year stint as head football coach at the University of Missouri was highlighted by the Tigers ending a 13-year streak of losing seasons in 1997, died today in Tucson, Ariz., after a long illness.

He was 68.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, Mr. Smith was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000. Recently, he had also contracted lymphoma and was battling pneumonia.

Mr. Smith coached Mizzou from 1994-2000, a career highlighted by 1997 and 1998 seasons in which the Tigers gained national recognition with 7-5 and 8-4 seasons that followed 13 consecutive losing seasons.

But his 1999 and 2000 teams struggled, finishing last each season in the Big 12 North, and he was fired after the '00 team lost five of its last six games and finished 3-8. He had three years remaining on his contract when Mizzou fired him.

Mr. Smith's overall record at Missouri was 33-46-1, with a loss in the 1997 Holiday Bowl and a victory in the 1998 Insight.com Bowl.

He coached Arizona for seven seasons and compiled a 48-28-3 record before leaving in 1987 for Southern California.

His first three USC teams played in the Rose Bowl, but he was fired after losing to Fresno State in the Freedom Bowl following the 1992 season.

He also made a bowl-game appearance as head coach of Tulane from 1976-79.

Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and children Corby and Alicia.

According to the university, funeral arrangements and memorial information for Mr. Smith are pending.

* * *

THE LARRY SMITH FILE

Hired by Mizzou: Dec. 15, 1993

Fired by Mizzou: Nov. 19, 2000

Career record: 33-46-1 in 7 seasons at MU ... 143-126-7 in 24 seasons at Tulane, Arizona, USC and MU.

Year-by-year at Mizzou: 1994 (3-8-1), 1995 (3-8); 1996 (5-6); 1997 (7-5); 1998 (8-4); 1999 (4-7); 2000 (3-8).

Highlights at Mizzou: 8-4 record and 34-31 victory over West Virginia in the Insight.com Bowl in 1998 ... 7-5 record and trip to Holiday Bowl in 1997 ... 45-38 OT loss to No. 1 Nebraska on national TV in 1997, a game decided by a controversial kicked-ball play in the end zone ... 1997 Associated Press Big 12 coach of the year.

Lowlights at MU: 1-27 record against Top 25 teams, and 0-17 record vs. Top 10 ... Lost 62-9 to Clemson in 2000 ... Lost 66-0 to Kansas State in 1999.

Personal file: Born Sept. 12, 1939, in Van Wert, Ohio. Graduate of Bowling Green State University. Wife, Cheryl, two children, Alicia and Corby.

01-28-2008, 05:12 PM	Topic Starter
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $1984950	Ex-MU Coach Larry Smith dies RIP http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...C?OpenDocument Former Mizzou coach Larry Smith dies at 68 STLTODAY.COM SPORTS 01/28/2008 Larry Smith, whose seven-year stint as head football coach at the University of Missouri was highlighted by the Tigers ending a 13-year streak of losing seasons in 1997, died today in Tucson, Ariz., after a long illness. He was 68. According to the Arizona Daily Star, Mr. Smith was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000. Recently, he had also contracted lymphoma and was battling pneumonia. Mr. Smith coached Mizzou from 1994-2000, a career highlighted by 1997 and 1998 seasons in which the Tigers gained national recognition with 7-5 and 8-4 seasons that followed 13 consecutive losing seasons. But his 1999 and 2000 teams struggled, finishing last each season in the Big 12 North, and he was fired after the '00 team lost five of its last six games and finished 3-8. He had three years remaining on his contract when Mizzou fired him. Mr. Smith's overall record at Missouri was 33-46-1, with a loss in the 1997 Holiday Bowl and a victory in the 1998 Insight.com Bowl. He coached Arizona for seven seasons and compiled a 48-28-3 record before leaving in 1987 for Southern California. His first three USC teams played in the Rose Bowl, but he was fired after losing to Fresno State in the Freedom Bowl following the 1992 season. He also made a bowl-game appearance as head coach of Tulane from 1976-79. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and children Corby and Alicia. According to the university, funeral arrangements and memorial information for Mr. Smith are pending. * * * THE LARRY SMITH FILE Hired by Mizzou: Dec. 15, 1993 Fired by Mizzou: Nov. 19, 2000 Career record: 33-46-1 in 7 seasons at MU ... 143-126-7 in 24 seasons at Tulane, Arizona, USC and MU. Year-by-year at Mizzou: 1994 (3-8-1), 1995 (3-8); 1996 (5-6); 1997 (7-5); 1998 (8-4); 1999 (4-7); 2000 (3-8). Highlights at Mizzou: 8-4 record and 34-31 victory over West Virginia in the Insight.com Bowl in 1998 ... 7-5 record and trip to Holiday Bowl in 1997 ... 45-38 OT loss to No. 1 Nebraska on national TV in 1997, a game decided by a controversial kicked-ball play in the end zone ... 1997 Associated Press Big 12 coach of the year. Lowlights at MU: 1-27 record against Top 25 teams, and 0-17 record vs. Top 10 ... Lost 62-9 to Clemson in 2000 ... Lost 66-0 to Kansas State in 1999. Personal file: Born Sept. 12, 1939, in Van Wert, Ohio. Graduate of Bowling Green State University. Wife, Cheryl, two children, Alicia and Corby.
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