Former WVU Coach Dies

Jim Carlen, a native of Cookeville, Tennessee who guided the West Virginia University football team for four seasons, died at at his home in Columbia, South Carolina Sunday morning at the age of 79. Carlen was a punter and linebacker for Georgia Tech and first became a head coach at West Virginia in 1966. Texas Tech hired Carlen in 1970 after he led the Mountaineers to their second ever 10-win season. In 1973, Carlen led the Red Raiders to their second-ever 11-win season. Carlen’s finest season in Morgantown was also his last. WVU finished 10-1 in 1969, ending the year with a 14-3 victory over South Carolina in the Peach Bowl. His 1967 squad won the Southern Conference championship. Carlen compiled a 25-13-3 record during his stay in Morgantown. Legendary coach Bobby Bowden, who was a member of Carlen’s staff, was named head coach following Carlen’s departure to Texas Tech. Carlen’s career also included a seven-year stint as head coach at the University of South Carolina. His overall record in 16 seasons as a head coach was 107-69-6. His teams appeared in eight bowl games. Carlen’s 1980 South Carolina team featured Heisman Trophy winning running back George Rogers.