FanHouse LarrySmith

Between 1993 and 1995, the Canadian Football League came up with the brilliant idea, led by commissioner Larry Smith -- the United States, presumably bored with the NFL, was ready for 12-on-12, 110-yard action. The result? Eight teams from Memphis to Sacramento, including the only non-Canadian team to hoist the Grey Cup, the 1994 Baltimore Stallions. I wonder if they had a parade?

Why is this all relevant? Because former NFL wide receiver Oronde Gadsden is trying to bring the CFL back to America, due in part to the unstable future of the Arena Football League.

Former USC, Arizona, Tulane and Missouri coach Larry Smith died Monday, succumbing to leukemia and lymphoma.

Smith coached for the greater part of two decades, compiling a 143-126-7 (.531) career record between 1976 and 2000. He is fondly remembered at Arizona for starting the first five of a ten-game win streak against rival Arizona State.

He also coached USC to within two games of the national championship in 1988 before falling to Notre Dame in the season finale and Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The Trojans finished with a 10-2 record that year.

Smith left football after the 2000 season, retiring to Arizona. He spent the last two years as an analyst for an Arizona television station.