Former Stampeders, Lions coach Lary Kuharich dies at 70
Won 1991, '93 Arena Football League titles with Tampa Bay Storm
Lary Kuharich, a former head coach of the Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions who later won two titles in the Arena Football League, has died. He was 70.
The native of Middletown, N.Y., who also served as a running backs coach with the NFL's New Orleans Saints from 1998-2000, died Sunday, the Stampeders said in a statement.
Kuharich joined the Stampeders as an assistant in 1986 and took over as head coach in '87 when the team opened with a 2-6 record. He led Calgary to eight victories in its last 10 regular-season games and a spot in the post-season.
He continued to coach the Stamps through the 1989 season and finished with an overall regular-season record of 24-22, but was 0-2 in playoff games.
Kuharich moved to B.C. in 1990 but was fired after the Lions opened the season with a 2-7-1 record.
He later moved to the Arena Football League and won a championship in 1991 as an offensive co-ordinator for the Tampa Bay Storm. Kuharich earned another title as the team's head coach in '93.
Prior to his time in the CFL, Kuharich coached college football at Temple, Illinois State and California. He also worked as offensive co-ordinator for the San Antonio Gunslingers and the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League.
Kuharich is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathleen, daughters Jacquelyn Lara, Theresa, Katrina Joseph and Dakota Maria, and grandsons Alexander and Gunnar, plus his brother Bill.