Bruce Snyder, who coached Arizona State to a Pac-10 football title in 1996 and came within seconds of a national championship, died April 13, 2009, of cancer. Snyder, 69, was 58-45 in nine seasons at ASU (1992-2000) and was national Coach of the Year for his 11-1 team in 1996 that only lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. He coached for five seasons at California before coming to ASU. Snyder's ASU players included quarterback Jake Plummer and the late Pat Tillman. Snyder was diagnosed with melanoma in June. He told The Arizona Republic in the fall: "I've eliminated disliking my doctors that didn't catch it or my fate or circumstances. But I do believe this, though if all of a sudden I'm gone in a year, it's been a damn good life. And I've lived a healthier longer life than most." He is survived by his wife Linda, three daughters, two grandchildren and five siblings.