University of New Orleans women's swimming coach Ashley Tappin has resigned to pursue other career interests, the school announced on Thursday.
Tappin successfully began the Privateer women's swimming program in 2004 and led the team for each of the last three years. The former Olympic gold medalist was instrumental in keeping the program going following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, getting the team to Georgia before bringing the team back in February 2006.
This past winter, the Privateers finished sixth in the Sun Belt Conference championships and saw eight school records fall during the three-day event.
UNO Director of Athletics Jim Miller will begin a search immediately.
"I would like to thank the University of New Orleans, and particularly Jim Miller, for giving me a chance to lay a foundation for women's swimming here at UNO,” Tappin said. “We have made some great strides in building this program, and that is due to many dedicated young ladies who are great representatives for UNO."
Tappin was a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a five-time NCAA champion and one of just 10 women to win four gold medals at the U.S. National Championships. She retired from competitive swimming in 2001 before returning to New Orleans and beginning a coaching career.
