Sports

Longtime UAF rifle coach Dan Jordan resigns

After producing three NCAA champion teams and three individual champions in 11 years, UAF rifle coach Dan Jordan resigned Wednesday to pursue a business opportunity outside of athletics.

UAF won national titles in each of Jordan's first three seasons as head coach from 2006-2008.

Nanooks Jamie (Beyerle) Corkish (2006), Patrik Sartz (2008) and Tim Sherry (2014) pulled in individual titles under Jordan.

"This has to be one of the most bittersweet decisions I've ever had to make," Jordan said in a press release. "I'm moving on to new professional opportunities and will miss coaching more than the team can ever know.

"They are like family to me and many of them have become great friends. I wish them all the best and know that they will face a new season stronger than ever before."

Jordan shot for the UAF rifle team in 1998 and 1999, receiving All-American honors both seasons.

An accident on a rock wall in 1999 left Jordan's lower body paralyzed and eliminated any chance to continue shooting with UAF, but he returned to rifle training two years later for the Paralympics. Jordan earned a silver medal in the men's three-position rifle during the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.

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Jordan's three UAF national titles tie him with past coaches Randy Pitney and Dave Johnson.

Jordan was named the NCAA's rifle coach of the year from 2005-2007 and earned the Alaska Nanooks Athletic Department's coach of the year award in 2006, 2007 and 2014.

He led 24 shooters to 78 all-America status and two to academic all-America honors.

"I cannot thank the team, the Athletic Department and the university enough for all of their support over the past 11 years," Jordan said. "I'm leaving with so many great memories and friendships that I won't ever forget."

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