ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Bob King, Larry Bird’s first coach at Indiana State and the architect of New Mexico basketball who never had a losing record in 10 seasons with the Lobos, died Friday at 81.

King died at Veteran’s Administration Hospital, where he had been hospitalized since taking a fall at home Nov. 16. He had a history of health problems, beginning with a heart attack and cerebral aneurysm in 1978, his final year at Indiana State.

Bill Hodges took over for King the next season, when Bird was a senior. The top-ranked Sycamores were unbeaten until a loss to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA championship game.

“I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach King. He was instrumental in the success of my career,” said Bird, a Hall of Famer and president of the Indiana Pacers. “I will always be grateful for his friendship, guidance and help.

“Coach King was more than a coach; he was a dear friend and mentor.”

King coached New Mexico from 1963-72, producing Western Athletic Conference titles in 1964 and 1968. Under King, the Lobos made three NIT appearances, reaching the finals in 1964. His 1967-68 team went 23-5, was ranked as high as fourth and put the school in the NCAA tournament for the first time. New Mexico athletic director Rudy Davalos said King laid the foundation for the success of men’s and women’s basketball at the school.

“He was a classy gentlemen who will be missed by many people but never forgotten,” Davalos said.

Ritchie McKay, the current coach whose father, Joe, played for King, said the program is mindful of King’s legacy.

“I’m one of the proud benefactors of the values and principles he instilled, and the impact he made on his players and peers,” McKay said.

New Mexico State coach Lou Henson added: “Bob King is the one that really brought big-time basketball to the state of New Mexico.”

King had a record of 175-89 at New Mexico, producing 10 all-WAC players and such stars as Mel Daniels and Ron Nelson. He coached Indiana State for three seasons (1975-78), compiling a 61-24 record. His overall record in 13 years was 236-113.

King is credited for the construction of University Arena, known as The Pit. The Lobos played at a 7,000-seat campus gym when King arrived at New Mexico. But winning seasons doubled attendance in his first three years, leading to the new arena.

The Pit opened Dec. 1, 1966. Its original seating capacity was 14,831, one of the largest college arenas for the time. The school renamed the court at University Arena in honor of King in 1992. New Mexico’s annual Most Valuable Player award is named for him.

King created the Lobo Invitational. The school’s post-Christmas tournament is in its 39th year, the fifth-oldest regular-season tournament in the country.

He is survived by his wife, Sharel; four sons; and two daughters.

AP-ES-12-10-04 1848EST