Mon Jan 28 21:50:35 2008

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Former USC, Arizona football coach Larry Smith dies

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Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) - Larry Smith, former football coach for Arizona, Southern California, Tulane, and Missouri, died Monday after a bout with leukemia and lymphoma. He was 68.

Known for his ability to rebuild struggling programs, Smith posted a 143-126-7 overall record in 24 years as a head coach at the four programs. He had a 44-25-3 mark at USC from 1987 to 1992, with three Rose Bowl appearances, the one win over former mentor Bo Schembechler and Michigan. He was fired on New Year's Day 1993, and later took over at Missouri.

"On behalf of the entire Trojan Family, I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Larry Smith," said USC athletic director Mike Garrett, who was an associate athletic director during Smith's final two seasons with the Trojans. "He was a good man and a good football coach. When he came to USC, he brought a tough- minded approach and solid fundamentals and he produced some very successful teams here. Getting his first three teams into the Rose Bowl is unprecedented in our history. We'll remember Larry dearly and will long appreciate his contributions to Trojan football. Our sincere thoughts go out to Cheryl and the family."

Smith, a native of Van Wert, Ohio, played collegiate football at Miami of Ohio, where he later coached under the legendary Schembechler. Smith followed Schembechler to Michigan for three years, before heading to Arizona to be defensive coordinator.

After a stint as the head coach at Tulane, he took over at Arizona in 1980.

"It's a sad day for Wildcats past, present and future," UA director of athletics Jim Livengood said. "Larry was part of a great tradition at UA and helped so many young student-athletes be successful playing football and later in life. His love for college football was as big as the emotion that he wore on his sleeve."