Former Texas Tech Red Raider football coach Jim Carlen has passed away at the age of 79. Carlen, known for leading Texas Tech to one of its best seasons in history also served the same position at West Virginia and the University of South Carolina. Carlen has the distinction of coaching the only Heisman trophy winner in South Carolina History in George Rogers.

Carlen was a linebacker and a punter while he was at Georgia Tech, and received his first head coaching job at West Virginia in 1966. Carlen then led the Red Raiders from 1970-1974, with an eleven win season in 1973. Carlen then departed Texas Tech for South Carolina, where he was head coach from 1975-1981. In July 2008, Carlen was inducted into the Texas Tech Athletics Hall of Honor.

Red Raider football lost a member of its family today. Rest in peace.

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