March 10, 2007

Larry McClain, assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator at Fayetteville State University (FSU), died Friday, March 9 in Dillon, S.C. The cause of death has not been determined.

McClain, 48, and a native of Dillon, was hired in 1999 by FSU Head Coach Kenny Phillips. Together, McClain and Phillips built the FSU football team into one of the most dominant squads in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). FSU teams won back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003, and made it to the championship game in 2004. During those years, the FSU defense ranked at the top in both the CIAA Conference and the nation. Two FSU defensive players, Brian Holliday and Charles Roberts, were named CIAA Defensive Players of the Year in 2002 and 2004, respectively.

"The FSU family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of its best coaches and friends,'' said Dr. Edward McLean, FSU athletic director. "Coach McClain was a respected coach among his colleagues at FSU and in the CIAA. He played a major role in helping build FSU into CIAA championship contender each year. His talents and professionalism will be sorely missed."

McClain graduated from Western Carolina University in Cullowee, N.C. His coaching career began at Newberry College in Newberry S.C., where he was defensive line coach. He has had coaching stints at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma; Elon College in Elon, N.C.; and Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

McClain is survived by a wife and two children.