Brian first met Bryan within a week of becoming colleagues in early May 1998.
New Missouri wrestling coach Brian Smith was familiarizing himself with Bryan Blitz, who had just finished his second season leading the Tiger women's soccer program.
"We ended up living like a few doors apart, and our wives Alie (Blitz) and Denise (Smith) just became really good friends," Brian Smith said of getting to know Bryan Blitz's family. "A lot of our kids were the same age. So we hung out all the time.
"Christmas parties in the neighborhood.