Feb. 11, 2002

Los Angeles - Kim Sword has been named head strength and conditioning coach at UCLA, replacing Mike Linn, who after nine years with the program, has decided to relocate to the Midwest for family reasons.

Sword comes to UCLA from San Jose State University, where he had been head strength and conditioning coordinator since 1999. Prior to that, he spent five years at Utah State University, where he served as assistant strength coach for two years before being elevated to the head position in 1996.

In 1993, Sword received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Missouri Western State in St. Joseph, MO. He completed his Master's Degree from Utah State in 1995.

"After conducting a national search, we have determined that Kim Sword possesses all of the qualities we are looking for in a head strength and conditioning coach," said UCLA Associate Athletic Director Glenn Toth. "Although we are extremely sad to see Mike Linn leave, we believe Kim Sword can maintain UCLA's level of excellence as one of the top strength programs in the country."

In addition to his work at various universities, Sword has done extensive research in the area of exercise science and has done numerous speaking engagements on the topic. The new Bruin coach played offensive line at Missouri Western State, earning All-Conference and honorable mention All-America acclaim as a senior.

Sword, who was born on Aug. 29, 1971, is both C.S.C.C and N.S.C.A certified.