Jim Wyatt has been described as hard working, determined and competitive, a respected leader who is humble and honest, and someone who defines integrity and who worked tirelessly behind the scenes in an effort to make others stand out and flourish.
It’s an honest description for a man who, whether as a player, coach or administrator, helped make University of Arkansas-Fort Smith athletics into the proud, tradition-rich program that it is today.
A 1957 graduate of County Line High School, Wyatt played basketball for two seasons at Fort Smith Junior College and went on to play two seasons at the College of the Ozarks.
The Ratcliff, Ark., native coached basketball one season at Fourche Valley High School, where his girls’ basketball team finished 20-5, won the Yell County Tournament and the district tournament, and qualified for the state tournament. It was the first time a Fourche Valley team in any sport qualified for the state tournament.
Wyatt went on to coach three seasons at Fort Smith’s Ramsey Junior High, where he coached basketball and was assistant football coach. He was later the assistant basketball coach under head coach Ronnie Bateman at Fort Smith Southside High School for nine seasons, which included one state runner-up finish.
Wyatt joined Westark coach Gayle Kaundart’s staff in 1974 and coached five national tournament teams, including the 1981 NJCAA national championship team. The Lions also won six Region II tournament championships during his tenure.
As assistant coach, he coached and mentored two future University of Arkansas Razorbacks and NBA players in Ron Brewer and Darrell Walker.
He was named athletic director in 1982 – a position he held for 16 years – and later served as the director of the UA Fort Smith Fitness Center until his retirement in 2003.
