OGDEN, Utah-Per a Monday report, former Weber State men’s basketball head coach Neil McCarthy passed away at his home this past Saturday in Salt Lake City at the age of 81.

McCarthy was the Wildcats’ head coach from 1975-1985 and became one of the most successful head coaches in Weber State and Big Sky history.

McCarthy was 205-105 (.661) at Weber State and led the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournament appearances.

McCarthy was named the Big Sky Conference coach of the year in 1978, 1980 and 1983.

McCarthy had been the Wildcats’ freshman head coach in 1974 and assumed control of the varsity program in January 1975.

Under his direction in the 1977-78 season, the Wildcats moved into the Dee Events Center. That season, he led Weber State to a Big Sky Tournament championship and a subsequent NCAA Tournament appearance.

He was inducted into the Weber State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.