Commentary: Larry Smith is Done

After a nightmare finish for the Mizzou football team last season, it was hard to imagine that things could get any worse. They could, and they did. The 2000 season has been a complete bust, and will cost Larry Smith his job. The only chance Smith has is to win the final three games and finish 5-6. That would show progress. But that’s not going to happen. Not with Kansas State looming in the season finale. Even if the Tigers beat Colorado and Baylor, they will end up 4-7, and on the heels of last year’s disaster, that would constitute moving in the wrong direction. In addition to the poor record, consider the discipline problems the Tigers have had, and the large portion of the most recent recruiting class that never qualified. Smith picked the Missouri program up off the floor and took it to two straight bowls. A lot more people are sitting in the seats at Faurot Field than there were when he arrived. And he’s had bad luck with injuries. But he won’t be around next year. Take heart, Tiger fans. Basketball season starts in 13 days.