Larry Lacewell, former Arkansas State head coach, SEC assistant, passes at 85

The college football community is mourning the passing of Larry Lacewell. The former Arkansas State head coach with SEC ties was 85.

Oklahoma and Tennessee were among the programs to offer condolences on social media. Lacewell was on Oklahoma’s staff first as a freshmen coach (1966) before returning as the defensive ends coach (1969) and then defensive coordinator (1970-77). From 1973-to-1977, he also held the title of assistant head coach under Barry Switzer. Lacewell’s final coaching position came as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator from 1990-to-1991.

Our thoughts are with the family of former OU assistant coach Larry Lacewell (1966, 1969-77), who passed away today at the age of 85. Lacewell was assistant HC and defensive coordinator on the Sooners’ 1974 and ’75 national championship teams and helped OU to 6 Big Eight titles. pic.twitter.com/DOBpZYq4Ab

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) May 18, 2022

The Tennessee Football Family offers our condolences to the family and friends of former Vol defensive coordinator Larry Lacewell, who passed away at the age of 85. pic.twitter.com/VjbMqI5JSc

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) May 18, 2022

An Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1996), Lacewell was Arkansas State’s head coach from 1979-to-1989, a period when he also held the title of athletic director. Lacewell was born in Fordyce, Arkansas, and played halfback at Arkansas A&M (1955-58). He went into coaching in 1959, getting his start as an Alabama graduate assistant on Bear Bryant’s staff.

Lacewell was last active from 1992-to-2004 as the Dallas Cowboys’ director of college and pro scouting.