Former Arizona football coach Larry Smith died yesterday at 68. Smith was battling a prolonged illness after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2000.
Smith was known for helping Arizona become competitive in the Pacific 10 Conference and was the Arizona head coach from 1980 to 1996.
“”It’s a sad day for Wildcats past, present and future,”” UA athletic director Jim Livengood said in a press release. “”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.””
Smith’s record as head coach at the UA was 48-28-3. He led the team to the Aloha Bowl in 1986 and the Sun Bowl in 1985.
Smith is survived by his wife Cheryl, and his two children, Corby and Alicia.
-The Arizona Wildcat
