Larry graduated from Deshler High School in 1975. He was a member of wrestling and football squads as a Tiger. In 1974 he was State Runner-up in Wrestling in the 185 lb. weight class as a grappler. In 1973 he was selected to the All-Tennessee Valley Conference Team as an offensive lineman. After high school he was a member of the University of North Alabama football team 1975-1978 and was a three year letter-man as an offensive lineman. Following his graduation from UNA, Larry began a high school coaching career in both wrestling and football. As the wrestling coach at East Lawrence High School and Hartselle High school, he led teams to the State Championships twice and he coached nineteen individual state champions, He was the head football coach at East Lawrence High School from 1981-1984 with a record of 28-12. From East Lawrence he moved on to Hartselle High School as the offensive line coach from 1985-1991 and has been the defensive coordinator for the Tigers since 1992.