BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Jim Richards, a former Western Kentucky University basketball coach and athletic director who led Glasgow High School to a state championship in 1968, died Friday, Oct. 9. He was 90.

Richards spent more than four decades serving WKU as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. He helped guide the Hilltoppers to the 1971 NCAA Final Four as an assistant coach before leading the men's basketball program as head coach and later serving as director of athletics.

A native of Adair County, Richards also built a successful coaching career at the high school level in Kentucky, including his championship run in Glasgow.

WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart said Richards had a lasting impact on the university through his work as a coach, administrator and member of the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation Board.

“He loved WKU Basketball as much as anybody,” Stewart said.

Richards returned to WKU, his alma mater, in 1968 as an assistant men's basketball coach under John Oldham. During his three seasons on the staff, the Hilltoppers compiled a 62-19 record, won two Ohio Valley Conference championships and made two NCAA Tournament appearances.

The 1970-71 team reached the Final Four, where WKU lost to Villanova, 92-89, in double overtime. The Hilltoppers then defeated Kansas, 77-75, in the national third-place game.

Richards became head coach in 1971 after Oldham retired. He held the position for seven seasons, compiling a 102-84 record.

During his tenure, WKU won Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships in 1972 and 1976 and tournament championships in 1976 and 1978. The Hilltoppers also reached the NCAA Tournament in 1976 and 1978.

Richards was named OVC Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1976.

One of his most memorable seasons came in 1977-78. After an 3-8 start, WKU rallied to earn an NCAA Tournament berth. The Hilltoppers defeated nationally ranked Syracuse, 87-86, in overtime in the opening round to advance to the Sweet 16. The team finished the season 16-14.

Richards stepped away from basketball coaching in 1978 but continued working in WKU Athletics as coordinator of men's athletics and head men's golf coach through 1986.

All eight of his golf teams finished with winning records. He remains the winningest men's golf coach in program history, holding both single-season and career records.

He also served as the first executive director of the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation, helping the organization achieve record fundraising growth in its early years.

Richards moved to WKU's Office of Alumni Affairs in 1986, serving as director until returning to athletics as interim director in September 1993. He was named director of athletics in July 1994 and retired in November of that year.

Before his coaching and administrative career, Richards played baseball at WKU from 1955 to 1958. A four-year letterwinner, he led the team in batting each season and served as captain during his final three years.

He graduated from WKU in 1959 and was inducted into the WKU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Current WKU men's basketball coach Hank Plona remembered Richards for his enthusiasm, encouragement and support of the program.

“He saw the good in everyone, and believed the next day would always be better than the last,” Plona said.

Plona said Richards had recently expressed confidence in the team's defense and pledged that the players would work to make him proud.

“Practice won't be the same without him there, but I know I will be able to hear his words after each one,” Plona said.

WKU said visitation and funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Friday. Additional information will be shared when it becomes available.