Ute ski coach Sweeney resigns to take new job

Kevin Sweeney has announced his resignation as University of Utah head ski coach. Sweeney has been with the Utah program for 12 years, serving as its head coach for the past six seasons.

Sweeney will remain in Salt Lake City and take a position with Swix as its national director of Nordic racing services. Swix is a Norwegian-based retailer that focuses on competitive racing.

"It has been an amazing decade here at the University of Utah," Sweeney said. "Not only has my experience here been enjoyable, but it has been tremendously rewarding to work with such exceptional student-athletes, staff, alumni, supporters and community. I'm just thankful for the opportunity I was given here to grow both professionally and personally."

Utah qualified for the NCAA championships in each of Sweeney's six seasons at the helm, winning the national title in 2003. Utah finished second in 2004 and took third in both 2002 and 2005. Sweeney also coached 15 NCAA champions, 22 all-Americans and four Olympians during his tenure.

"Kevin Sweeney's dedication to the University of Utah and its ski team over the last 12 years has been outstanding," said athletics director Chris Hill. "We appreciate the time he has devoted to the ski team and its student-athletes and wish him the very best in his new career."

A national search will begin immediately for Sweeney's replacement.