BIGFORK, Mont. — Jim Owens, a player at University of Oklahoma under Bud Wilkinson who later coached the University of Washington for 18 seasons and led a resurgence of West Coast football, has died at his home in Bigfork, Mont.

Owens died Saturday morning, the University of Washington confirmed.

Owens coached at Washington from 1957 until his retirement in 1974. He went 99-82-6 in his nearly two decades as the Huskies coach, including three Rose Bowl trips. He also served as athletic director at UW from 1960-69.

His accomplishments at UW were honored in 2003 when the university dedicated a statue of Owens outside one of the entrances to Husky Stadium. But that honor came with protests about his treatment of black players during his time at Washington.

"To my players, I thank them and apologize for any hurt they may feel. I hope today we can begin to heal the wounds of the past," Owens said the day his statue was dedicated.