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Goodbye Larry Stranahan

G

Growler1

Well-known member
Just learned today that Larry Stranahan, former Griz defensive lineman on the two undefeated teams from 1969-70, died recently while vacationing in Mongolia. Larry the run-stopping D-tackle was the heart of those great Griz defenses. Along with his co-tackle, Larry Miller, the Griz were very tough to run on in those days.

Larry went on to coach football and teach biology for many years. He was the head coach at both Havre and Hellgate, and in Oregon and Spokane. Larry was one of the good guys, who had long-time friendships which stretched across the nation, from colleagues as well as former players and students whom he impacted in his career.

I will personally miss him. For those of you who knew him, I am sure that you will miss him too!
 
Not just a great football player, but a truly fine human being as well. Rest in peace Larry and condolences to the family.
 
Remembering Larry:

If you saw Larry Stranahan on campus as a student, back in the late 60s, you would never believe that he was a great college football player. He was too short (about 5'11" or so), and too rolly-polly, to be taken seriously. I think he weighed about 265 lbs. in those days.

One of the Griz O-lineman told me that Jack Swarthout thought that he had inherited a real dud in Larry when Jack took over the program. But then Swarthout saw Larry abuse O-linemen over and over again in practice, and then realized what a great player Larry was.

Larry was the prototypical kid who played way beyond his physical ability. He had a non-stop motor, was extremely smart, and had impeccable technique. Larry used to tell me how he would watch the opposing O-lineman during the game for tip-offs to the play being run. He almost always found some key, so that by the second half, he would know in advance of the snap whether it was a run, or pass, and which way the play was going.

He never let up in practice either, playing it as hard as he did in the real games. Our great O-linemen at that time, guys like Wille Postler and John Stedham hated to block him during practice, because he never let up, and made them work as hard as he did.

Time waits for no one, and Larry's time has come. We lost a great Griz athlete, and a better person in this guy.
 
I had him as a teacher in High School in Spokane, was a great guy and teacher! Will be missed
 
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