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.

Krusty Kunt · 01-28-2008, 05:17 PM

I was a huge fan of his even back at his days at USC. I thought he did a lot better job at USC than some of the Trojans other coaches during their mediocre run such as John Robinson (second time around) and Paul Hackett. The teams he coached with Corby Jones were the best Tigers teams in the last 20 years before Gary Pinkel's turnaround. Who can forget that infamous game with Nebraska in 1997 when a soccer kick ended his chance at an upset. You will be missed.

Stewie · 01-28-2008, 05:18 PM

RIP, Larry. I hadn't heard about his health issues.

Krusty Kunt · 01-28-2008, 05:20 PM

In honor of Larry Smith:

WilliamTheIrish · 01-28-2008, 05:21 PM

Travel well, Larry.

tomahawk kid · 01-28-2008, 06:01 PM

Larry Smith made MU Football matter again, even if it was for a short time.

I'll always love him for that........

01-28-2008, 05:12 PM
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2264950	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.
Posts: 69,304

01-28-2008, 05:17 PM	#2
Krusty Kunt Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	I was a huge fan of his even back at his days at USC. I thought he did a lot better job at USC than some of the Trojans other coaches during their mediocre run such as John Robinson (second time around) and Paul Hackett. The teams he coached with Corby Jones were the best Tigers teams in the last 20 years before Gary Pinkel's turnaround. Who can forget that infamous game with Nebraska in 1997 when a soccer kick ended his chance at an upset. You will be missed.
Posts: 7

01-28-2008, 05:18 PM	#3
Stewie MVP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West of the Equator Casino cash: $1629901	RIP, Larry. I hadn't heard about his health issues.
Posts: 13,629

01-28-2008, 05:20 PM	#4
Krusty Kunt Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	In honor of Larry Smith:
Posts: 7

01-28-2008, 05:21 PM	#5
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $5800607	Travel well, Larry.
Posts: 34,659

01-28-2008, 06:01 PM	#6
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Larry Smith made MU Football matter again, even if it was for a short time. I'll always love him for that........
Posts: 5,974