Former LHS Basketball Coach Richard Scofield dies of heart attack

Liberty Christian boys basketball coach Richard Scofield, who retired after 40 years of coaching last month, died on Sunday after suffering a massive heart attack.

Richard Scofield Scofield, 62, led Ryan to a Class 4A state championship in 2000 before coaching at Liberty Christian for seven years. Prior to his time in Denton County, Scofield coached in Liberal, Kan.; Moore, Okla.; and Sulphur Springs.

Liberty football coach and athletic director Greg Price said Scofield rode his bicycle 65 miles on Saturday. He did not know of any serious heart problems Scofield might have had.

Scofield is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Lauren; and two sons, Wil and Christian, who is a senior at Liberty. Wil plays basketball at Oklahoma Christian University.

Scofield said in January that coaching his sons was one of his greatest experiences, and with Christian being a senior, it seemed to make sense he would retire after four decades of coaching.

Price, who has been at Liberty since 1997, is about to finish his first school year as athletic director, and said he learned a lot from Scofield in their time working together.

One of Scofiel s greatest coaching accomplishments came 10 years ago this week, when he led Ryan to an upset victory over Dallas Madison for the Class 4A state title.

Ryan hosted a reunion of the team last month.

Price said he and his co-workers, past and present, will fondly remember Scofield and the time they were able to spend with him.