Larry Kentera (1929–2023) was an American football coach who held various positions at the collegiate level, primarily within the state of Arizona. He is most noted for his tenure as the head football coach at Northern Arizona University (NAU), a position he held from 1985 to 1989.
Before becoming a head coach, Kentera was a long-time assistant coach at Arizona State University (ASU). He served under head coach Frank Kush for thirteen seasons, from 1966 to 1978, during a period of significant success for the program. His coaching career also included assistant roles at the University of Colorado and Western Illinois University.
During his five seasons leading the NAU Lumberjacks, Kentera compiled an overall record of 25–30. His most successful season occurred in 1986, when the team finished with a 7–4 record.
Kentera’s contributions to athletics in the region were recognized with several honors. He was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Arizona State University Hall of Distinction in 1988. Kentera remained a prominent figure in the Arizona sports community until his death in 2023 at the age of 94.
