For more than 20 years, Kevin Sweeney has "poured his heart and soul" into coaching, as Bishop Chatard athletic director Mike Ford put it.

Now, Sweeney is shifting focus. The Chatard girls basketball coach resigned this week to focus on his family and career.

"This was extremely difficult," Sweeney said in an e-mail interview. "When you factor in all the responsibilities you have to handle being a coach these days, you can't do it all, especially if you want to spend more time with your family.

"It has been a privilege and a blessing to work with the coaches and players. I now need to concentrate on my professional career and my family. It's very important to me, and it's not a hasty or hurried decision to resign. The most difficult decisions are often those that are the most personal."

Sweeney has four young sons, all ages 3 and under. He works as the business manager at St. Mark Catholic Church and School in Perry Township.

In four seasons as the Trojans' head coach, Sweeney's teams compiled a 75-22 record and won the school's first three sectional titles, along with a regional and semistate championship. He's been coaching basketball at some level since 1986 and started at Chatard in 1989 as an assistant.

Chatard finished last season with a 23-5 record and lost 47-46 to Plymouth in the Class 3A State Finals.

"He's made a significant difference for us," Ford said. "I think we've consistently had good players and good teams over the years that didn't come completely together until Kevin and his coaching staff arrived and instilled a philosophy that's (led to) the most successful period in (school) history."

Sweeney recalled the wins with fondness, but his happiest memories stem from the relationships he developed with his players and their families.

"It was not always beautiful, but it was a beautiful ride," Sweeney said.

Sweeney said he'll miss those relationships and the day-to-day of watching a team grow, but he still plans to stay active coaching in some capacity -- and in cheering for the Trojans.

"I still plan to coach sports," Sweeney said. "It just will be at different levels and without the responsibilities of running a program. I hope to still be a part of Bishop Chatard and attend as many games as possible. The difference is, I will be in the stands with my family, rather than running the program."