More Smith
I didn't really know the late Larry Smith, but I was a student during his first year at USC. One day after the season was over, a friend of mine wanted his autograph on a football, so we went to the football office. The secretary was gone so we walked into Smith's office unannounced.
He was sitting at his desk and I asked for his autograph because my friend was afraid he might say no. But Smith was gracious, spoke to us for a few minutes and signed the football. It made my friend's day.
Sometimes little moments like those say more than talking about a game.
I wasn't a big fan of LS during his tenure as coach. I remember when he "resigned" he wore powder blue and yellow to his press conference. However, this story was terrific. Thank you for sharing.
My first year at SC was Larry's last year at SC... I remember that I used to see him running around campus in his jogging suit even when it was warm out. I always thought he was in really good shape.. but, alas, you never know what life is going to deal you. I always liked him for some reason but, I do remember from my friends on the team at the time that they all really enjoyed having JR back the following year as he brought more relaxed and fun atmosphere. I read a piece a year or so ago in the LA Times that had a photo of Larry and he looked so sick, it was sad... RIP Larry Smith.
I was on campus one day and, as always was the case under Larry Smith, practice was closed. I walked around to Dedeaux field where the gate was open and went up on the concours where I was able to watch practice. It wasn't long before Coach Smith made his way to that side of the field. He grabbed a drink of water then proceeded to glare up at me for what seemed like an eternity. We locked eyes for probably 10 seconds.
The following week I was back on campus again. This time I had one of my partners with me who is a Texas A&M graduate and wanted to see the campus. Practice was going on and again was closed to the public. No problem I thought and headed to the baseball field with my partner in tow. As we approached Dedeaux field it became apparent that there were large signs posted at the gate, which was locked. "Dedeaux Field is closed during football practice. Coach Larry Smith."
I don't think we gave Larry a fair shot, and fired him way too quickly. He came at a tough time when things were going down for SC football, yet he got us to the Rose Bowl 3 times in 3 years. The team was fun to watch, and sparks were flying there for a while-it looked like we were on our way back to national prominence.
But then, it suddenly seemed to fall apart. Some say it was Todd's departure; others said he was too much of a disciplinarian. But, maybe too much was unrealistically expected too soon. One bad year then a decent climb back that ended with the loss to Fresno St. But that was it for Larry at SC.
When he was fired and replaced with JR, I was crushed. I knew we had taken a step back by trying to re live our past.
Makes you happy we have Pete now.
Just4SC,
The reality is that Larry went to three Rose Bowls with Ted Tollner's players. When they left SC no longer had any talent because Larry HATED to recruit.
Just the fact.
I don't have my old media guides and programs handy, but I believe he recruited some REALLY talented players including Boselli, Sehorn, McGinnest, Morton, Marinovich, Harlow, Ervins, Royster...
Sure he wasn't Pete, but he did give us a ray of hope during the Dark Ages=more than the the other three, and it was definitely a tough time to recruit for SC back then