Legendary U Sports head coach Larry Haylor passes away at age 76

Photo courtesy: Canadian Football Hall of Fame

Legendary U Sports head coach Larry Haylor has passed away at the age of 76 after suffering a heart attack.

The native of Prince Albert, Sask. served as the head coach of the University of Western Mustangs for 22 seasons (1984-91, 1993-2006), posting a 178-43-4 career record. He remains the second-winningest head coach in U Sports history behind Brian Towriss, who served as the head coach at the University of Saskatchewan for 33 seasons (1984-2016).

“We take great comfort in the fact that he lived a full life and was so loved by so many,” Haylor’s family said in a statement to The London Free Press.

“He was a loving, supportive, and protective husband . . . and the most amazing father. He was tremendously proud of his Western roots and the role he took in shaping the lives of those he coached, taught, and mentored.”

Haylor led the Mustangs to Vanier Cup titles in 1989 and 1994 and twice won the Frank Tindall Trophy as the U Sports Football Coach of the Year. He also coached a number of Hec Crighton Trophy winners, including running back Blake Marshall, running back Tim Tindale, and receiver Andy Fantuz.

The veteran coach was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2014 alongside Wally Buono, Ben Cahoon, Neil Lumsden, Uzooma Okeke, Moe Racine, and Charles Roberts.

Haylor’s passing came just two days after the death of Darwin Semotiuk, who served as the head coach of the Mustangs from 1975-84. Semotiuk was also 76.