| John L. Smith |
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''This article refers to a football coach, not the John L. Smith who received the Medal Of Honor in World War II .'' John L. Smith is the head Coach for the Michigan State University Spartans’ Football team. He became the university's 23rd head coach on December 19 , 2002 . Smith was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on November 15 , 1948 . He married Diana Flora on August 15 , 1970 and they have three children, Nicholas, Kayse and Sam. He went to Weber State University and played on the football team where he was both a Linebacker and Quarterback . In 2000, Sports Illustrated recognized Smith as one of Idaho 's top 100 athletes of the 20th Century . He was later inducted into the Idaho Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. RECORD Smith has a record of 18-18 (.500) in his three-year tenure at MSU. The overall record for the Spartans’ under Smith for the year 2005 was 5-6 (2-6 in the big ten). He has compiled a record of 123-72 (.631) is his 16 years as a college head coach. Smith has also coached at the Univeristy Of Idaho , Utah State University , and the University Of Louisville . Before coming to State, Smith spent five seasons at Louisville (1998-2002). He put together a 41-21 record, including five-straight bowl appearances and back-to-back Conference USA titles in 2000-2001. He ranks number 12 among active NCAA Division 1-A football coaches in career victories and number 17 in career winning percentage (.631). Twelve of his 16 teams have participated in postseason play, including seven-straight bowl appearances from 1997-2003. Smith is one of 18 head coaches in college football history to take three different teams to bowl games. OTHER Smith has earned a reputation for his venturesome attitude. Here are some of Smith's most recent adventures:
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