Throughout 2025, we are transporting Richmond supporters back 60 years to what was a pivotal season in the Club’s history – 1965. Today, we take a look at a huge story on the eve of the Tigers’ Round 4 match of the ’65 season, when Len Smith was forced to step down as senior coach after suffering a heart attack. Here is how it was reported in The Age newspaper by leading football writer Ron Carter.

Former champion full-forward Jack Titus was last night appointed Richmond’s new coach “until further notice.”

Titus will take over as the Tigers’ coach from Len Smith, who has suffered another heart attack and is in hospital.

Richmond officials say Smith is unlikely to coach again.

Titus was attending a League meeting as a Richmond delegate last night, and did not know of his coaching appointment until told by “The Age.”

His first comment was: “Well, I’m blowed.”

He said he did not expect to get the job and added: “I’m prepared to help where I can. I thought the position would go to assistant coach Dick Harris.”

“Richmond rang me this morning and asked if I was prepared to take on the coaching job. Naturally I thought they meant the Reserves and said ‘yes’.”

Titus said he would follow Len Smith’s plans of training and match play.

He added: “When Len gets better I will have a long talk to him about the team.”

Titus had his first coaching experience last year, when Smith had a previous heart attack.

Dick Harris coached the senior team and Titus was appointed as the stand-in Reserves grade coach for seven weeks.

In seven matches his team won six games.

The appointment was made at a special meeting of the Richmond executive committee.

Titus has been connected with the Richmond Football Club since 1926. He was a player for 18 years and played 294 games, 204 of which were consecutive.

He retired as a player in 1944, after kicking a total of 970 goals.

He was the club’s leading goal-kicker for 11 years, and in 1940 topped the League goal-kicking with 100 goals.

Smith collapsed at his home late on Tuesday night, and was admitted to the Sacred Heart Hospital, Moreland, yesterday.

A hospital spokesman said last night Smith’s condition was serious, but he was “resting quietly.”

He is expected to be in hospital several weeks.

Richmond Football Club secretary Mr. Graeme Richmond said last night he did not expect Smith to coach again.

Mr. Richmond said he had talked to Smith’s family, and they were anxious for him to not continue as coach.

“Richmond is reconciled to the fact that it will not see Len as coach again,” Mr. Richmond added.

It was the third time Smith has had a heart attack while coach of a League team.

The first was while coaching Fitzroy in 1958. He became ill again on the eve of the opening game last year with Richmond.

He was out of action for several weeks last year, but even while convalescing he had players’ meetings at his home.