PARK CITY, Utah, March 26 (UPI) -- Greg Needell announced Thursday he was stepping down after seven seasons as coach of the U.S. Alpine ski team.
Needell said in a written statement that he wanted to spend more time at home, particularly as his 11-year-old son, Coen, becomes more active in ski racing and Little League.
Needell also said with some satisfaction that the U.S. team was performing so well that it was a good time to leave.
"I'm leaving the team at a point where all the guys are just so professional with what they do," he said. "It's hard to tell them that when you're a coach because you're always looking to improve but I can easily step back and say the team is in a good place."
Needell was in charge as the United States brought such standouts as Lindsay Vonn, Bode Miller and Ted Ligety to the international stage. Ligety said Needell was on the "cutting edge" when it came to teaching the latest racing techniques.
The U.S. Ski Association didn't immediately announce a successor.
