Larry Price, former UH football coach and longtime broadcaster, dies
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Larry Price, a one-of-a-kind homegrown expertise who helped form University of Hawaii football and native sports activities media for many years, has died.
The Price ohana mentioned in a press release:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Larry D. Price of Honolulu, Hawai’i, on March 27, 2026. He passed peacefully.
Dr. Price was known as an athlete, professor, news columnist for Mid-Week, sportscaster for OC16, and beloved radio personality as part of the Perry & Price morning show on KSSK-FM as part of the morning duo, Perry & Price; many knew him simply as ‘Coach.’
We appreciate the prayers and sympathies conveyed. The family requests privacy during this time.”
Born and raised in Kaaawa, Price made the lengthy, day by day commute to Roosevelt High School, the place he fell in love with football. A 6-foot, 260-pound pressure, he performed on each the offensive and defensive strains.
Price went on to the University of Hawaii, taking part in defensive sort out from 1961 to 1964 and serving as a three-time group captain.
His impression wasn’t restricted to the gridiron.
He held a black belt in judo from Kodokan Judo Institute, studied the martial arts of jiu-jitsu and karate, and fought his manner in boxing to turn out to be a heavyweight champion whereas serving within the US Army.
After a quick stint with the Los Angeles Rams, Price returned to his roots on the University of Hawaii. He served as head volleyball coach from 1969 to 1972, and was named to the 11-member all-time UH football group in 1973.
As head football coach from 1974 to 1976he helped usher the college into NCAA Division I Football, and was the division’s first head coach born and raised in Hawaii.
During Price’s teaching period, Hawaii competed underneath the moniker the Rainbows, solidifying an id that mirrored the college’s dwelling in Manoa.
“It’s always been known as the valley of the seven rainbows, kind of a spiritual thing,” Price mentioned on the time. “We didn’t make a big deal, because we’ve always been the rainbows because of where the school sits.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi — a former walk-on participant who later joined Price’s workers as affiliate head coach and defensive coordinator — nonetheless vividly remembers his first assembly with Price.
“From the hour I met him, I was there to try to prove something about myself to him knowing full well he held the bar really high,” Blangiardi mentioned. “I think he was born to be the head coach at UH. He had a passion for it. He was so skilled.”
Blangiardi referred to as the chance to coach alongside Price a “great North Star” in his life. “That decision changed my destiny,” he mentioned. “I wouldn’t be in Hawaii today if it wasn’t for him.”
Price was simply as instrumental behind the mic as he was on the sidelines. After hanging up his cleats, Price stepped into the world of broadcasting.
“Being that I had retired from coaching, I didn’t have anything to do anyway. So I said, I’ll give it a try,” Price mentioned. “I’ve never done this before, but I’m coachable.”
For greater than 30 years on KSSK radio, Price and Michael W. Perry grew to become the soundtrack of the morning commute for listeners throughout Hawaii.
“When we got on the radio, we were terrible for about six months,” Perry recalled, “but the timing finally clicked, and everything was perfect, and we had some great, some great moments.”
The “Perry & Price” radio present was an establishment for native listeners, who tuned in for commentary, information, and up to date music. They additionally hosted a preferred Saturday breakfast present that drew packed rooms of diners desperate to see, and work together with, the duo.
“We did all kinds of things. We had April Fool’s stunts that probably should have gotten us fired, but it didn’t. Radio was a little different back then, and we just had a lot of fun,” Perry mentioned.
“Larry was a team player because of his sports background,” Perry mentioned. “He said, ‘We have to be a team.’ He said, ‘They’ll try to split us up.’ And they did, and we didn’t let them. To this day, there’s a sign in my office that we had back from 1983 that says: Together. That’s the key.”
In times of statewide emergenciesmany tuned in to listen to Perry and Price share info over the airwaves. “We were there when people needed us, which is, I think, the thing that matters most,” Perry mentioned.
RELATED: After 3 decades, Larry Price to leave popular ‘Perry & Price’ morning radio show
Price mixed his love of sports activities and broadcasting when he helped information the launch of OC16’s weekly highschool football broadcasts.
The weekly telecasts gave native athletes statewide publicity alongside Price’s distinct perception, unmistakable enthusiasm and his signature “Katoosh!” calls.
Off the air, Price introduced the identical ardour to training, and remained a lifelong learner
He earned a bachelor’s of science and grasp’s of training from the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education, later accomplished a Ph.D. on the University of Southern California, and did post-doctoral work at Stanford University. He additionally served as an assistant professor at Chaminade University.
Over the a long time, Price’s contributions earned him a few of Hawaii’s highest honors, together with being inducted into the UH Sports Circle of Honor in 1994.
In 2016, I acquired the University of Hawaii Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Knowledge is power and you got to just keep on going. Forget about all the obstacles and the reasons for not going. Figure out a way to go, and just keep going,” Price said.
In 2022, he was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, a corporation he helped set up to protect and have a good time the state’s athletic historical past.
Those who knew Price finest say his accomplishments have been matched by the best way he handled individuals, as a mentor liked and revered by so many.
“He was really a renaissance man, if you will, in that he just continued to evolve and knew how to be good at every one of those different situations,” Blangiardi mentioned, describing Price’s journey from student-athlete to coach, champion boxer and martial artist, scholar and revered broadcaster.
“But the real guy, this kid that grew up in Kaaawa,” Blangiardi mentioned, “he knew no limits, and he pushed anybody around him to think the same way and be the same way.”
“Larry, it was a great ride. It was unbelievable. I wouldn’t give it up for anything,” Perry mentioned of their decades-long relationship. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and you give ’em in heaven.”
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