Boise Legend Lyle Smith Passes Away

Former Boise Junior College head football (and basketball, for one year) coach, Lyle Smith passed away today at the age of 101.

Smith served as head football coach of then, Boise Junior College from 1947 to 1967 (except for military duty in the Korean War) compiling an overall record of 156-26-6. BJC won 13 conference titles, and one NJCAA national title during Smith’s tenure.

In 1967 Smith stepped down as head football coach and became the school’s first full-time AD, and in 1968 Boise became a competitive four year university. Smith served as athletic-director until 1981, and was instrumental in the career of Gene Blaymaier who was Boise State’s AD for nearly thirty years.

Boise State dedicated its field in Smith’s honor in 1980, and still plays all their home games on Lyle Smith field. Smith turned 101 in March.