Legendary football coach, Lyle Smith, nicknamed the father of Boise State football, died overnight he was 101.

Smith retired as Boise State athletic director in 1981 and his accomplishments both as a coach and administrator in innumerable.

Smith coached Boise Junior College for 20 season posting a 156-25-5 record, winning the National Junior College football championship in 1958.

In 1967 Smith retired from coaching and became BSU's athletic director and helped the Broncos build from a junior college into a four year school as a member of the NCAA. In 1980 the Broncos won the National 1-AA football title and a year later Smith retired.

COURTESY OF BOISE STATE FOOTBALL
COURTESY OF BOISE STATE FOOTBALL
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Smith never really left the program. The field bears his name, "Lyle Smith Field" and he was always attending Boise State practices and even celebrated his 100th birthday with the Bronco football team. The player sand happy birthday and spoke to the team.

Smith was among those routing the loudest when Boise State beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, FOX sports cutting away many times to show the legendary coach cheering from his suite.

Lyle Smith not only imagined what Boise State football could become, he lived to see it happen. Lyle Smith gone at 101.

 

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