Lyle Smith

Long Time Coach and Administrator, Boise State 1946-81

Inducted into the Boise State Hall of Fame in 1982

Lyle Smith, a football, baseball, and basketball coach, and athletic director at Boise State, came to Boise Junior College in 1946 as basketball coach and assistant football coach. In 1947, he became head coach of the BJC football program and didn’t lose a game until his fourth season. His 1958 team won the National Junior College championship. Smith retired from coaching after the 1967 season. In his 20 years as the head football coach at BJC; he compiled a 156-25-6 record, an 83 percent winning percentage. Smith continued to lead Boise State’s athletic program as athletic director until his retirement after the 1980-81 academic year. Smith guided Boise State’s transition from a junior college power to a highly successful NCAA Division I athletic program.