COLUMBIA, S.C., July 23 (UPI) -- Former West Virginia University football coach Jim Carlen died at his home in South Carolina at the age of 79.
Carlen died Sunday and no cause of death was given, the Charleston (W.Va.) Daily mail reported. Carlen coached at West Virginia University from 1966 to 1969, as well as Texas Tech University, 1970-1974 and the University of South Carolina, where he was also the athletic director, 1975-1981. His career record was 107 wins, 69 losses and 6 ties.
"He really set the tone for where things are today," former West Virginia running back Garrett Ford said. "He started offseason programs that we never had and that were totally new to us. His recruiting was different from what we were used to. He placed an emphasis on special teams that we never experienced."
A memorial service will be held in his honor Friday in Columbia, S.C.
