Jim Crutchfield, who coached West Liberty to four NCAA Division II basketball Final Fours and an appearance in the 2014 championship game, is leaving the Hilltoppers for Nova Southeastern, a Division II school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Crutchfield, a Clarksburg native, compiled a 359-61 record in 13 seasons with the Hilltoppers, winning at least 20 games each season. He was named Division II national coach of the year twice (2011, 2013) by Basketball Times and Atlatic Region coach of the year three times. Crutchfield was also hanmed the West Virginia College Coach of the Year four straight years (2011-14) by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association and was named coach of the year seven times by the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Mountain East Conference.
Crutchfield replaces Gary Tuell at Nova Southeastern, which is coming off a 6-20 season. One of those losses came to Crutchfield's Hilltoppers on Dec. 13.