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Schweyen resigns as UM track and field coach

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After 12 seasons as the leader of the track and field program and 22 at the University of Montana, Brian Schweyen resigned on Thursday afternoon.

Skyline Sports obtained an email written by Schweyen to members of the program early Thursday afternoon. The email indicates that Schweyen will no longer be the head of the UM track program at the end of this month.

“Things are changing rapidly and I have to let you all know that I will be done as Head Coach at the end of this month,” Schweyen wrote. “A lot has happened the last five months in both the world and with my family. Due to current circumstances, I feel it is best that I look at opportunities presented to me to leave the department and team.

“It is with complete sadness that I will no longer be a part of this team great team and wish I could tell you all face to face. I do hope the opportunity presents itself to tell you all but if I can’t, I want you to know how grateful I have been to be a part of this team the past 22 years.”

Schweyen, a Montana State alum who was one of the great high jumper and pole vaulters in the history of the Big Sky Conference during his time as an athlete, has been a part of the Griz track and field program since joining as a volunteer assistant in 1994. He took a job as a full-time assistant in 1997. He has been the head coach since 2008.

Schweyen is married to Shannon (Cate) Schweyen, an All-American as a player for the Lady Griz basketball team in the early 1990s. Shannon Schweyen served as a Lady Griz assistant on Robin Selvig’s staff for more than two decades and was the head coach of UM women’s basketball for the last four seasons. Her contract was not renewed following last season.

In the email, Schweyen indicated that he is “working with the administration to create a smooth transition”. Schweyen wrote that the “current plan” is to have Clint May, the recently hired head of the UM cross country program, as the new head coach.

Schweyen also indicated that Paul Barrett, UM’s recently hired throws coach, has “left due to a better situation for him and his family.” A UM thrower confirmed that Barrett has taken a job at Weber State.

About Colter Nuanez

Colter Nuanez is the co-founder and senior writer for Skyline Sports. After spending six years in the newspaper industry with stops at the Missoulian, the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the former Washington Newspaper Association Sportswriter of the Year and University of Montana Journalism School graduate ('09) has cultivated a deep passion for sports journalism during his 13-year career covering the Big Sky Conference. In August of 2014, Colter and brother Brooks merged their passions of writing and art to found Skyline Sports.

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