2022 Montana Football Hall of Fame: Jim Sweeney

(Editor’s word: Every Monday for eight weeks, MTN Sports activities is that includes a member of the 2022 Montana Soccer Corridor of Fame Class main into the June 25 banquet on the Billings Lodge and Conference Middle. Tickets can be found on the group’s web site.)

BILLINGS – He was born in Butte, America.

Jim Sweeney, the son of a hard-rock miner who emigrated from Eire, was the youngest of seven youngsters and made absolutely the most out of it.

Following a soccer taking part in profession at Portland State he got here house to educate highschool ball at Butte Central and Flathead. It was then that Sweeney’s notable faculty profession launched.

He earned an assistant’s job at Montana State earlier than reeling within the Bobcats’ head teaching job in 1963. Sweeney gained three Huge Sky titles in solely 5 seasons earlier than Washington State got here calling. His first contract with the Cougars – $20,000.

Quick ahead to 1978 when Sweeney spent an NFL season beneath the good John Madden and his Oakland Raiders, earlier than spending time in St. Louis beneath Bud Wilkenson.

In 1979, Sweeney, who’d already had a style of teaching at Fresno State, went again and located a head teaching house for 17 years. He gained eight convention titles and assist construct the mighty Bulldog Stadium the place his title is eternally, and rightfully, etched in stone. In complete, Sweeney led the Bulldogs for 19 years ending as Fresno State’s all-time wins chief with 143 victories.

Sweeney was 83 when he handed away Friday, February 8, 2013. His profession teaching report was 201-153-4.