Park City, UT (Wednesday, July 31, 2002) - Dee Williams, C Team moguls head coach for the past four seasons, has resigned, U.S. Freestyle Director Polly Jo Clark announced Wednesday.

"This is a big loss for Ski Team athletes and staff," Clark said. "Dee helped bring our team an amazing amount of success, had an amazing ability to motivate a group of athletes and was also tireless in her efforts to make it the best program possible for the athletes."

Williams, 38, grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI, and then Killington, VT; she attended the University of Vermont and Middlebury College, and was head coach and freestyle competition director for a decade at Vermont's Killington Mountain School after concluding her World Cup moguls career. She joined the Ski Team coaching staff following the '98 season, replacing Don St. Pierre, who moved up to moguls head coach. She has led summertime bike tours in France for several years and, Williams said, plans "to follow my passion for French wines." She is considering a master's study program in Dijon, France, and a couple of business opportunities within the wine industry.

"This was such a tough decision," she said. I've loved my job and, of course, I've worked with such a great staff and so many outstanding athletes. But as we start another four-year, Olympic cycle, I think - as hard as it is - this is the right time for me to move on.

"I'm going to miss the athletes and the staff, but I'm comfortable with making this decision now. There are a lot of things I don't know about French wines and this is a good time to start learning more about them."

St. Pierre, who hired Williams, said, "We've had the best of both worlds for a long time with her and we're losing a great lady. Dee's brought so much to coaching - if I'm a parent I'd delighted she's watching my son or daughter on the road because she's so meticulous and detail-oriented, but she also has that almost-motherly way which puts athletes at ease; she has such patience and understanding. And as a coach, Dee's done it all; she competed, she's got a great eye for technique and she's so tireless.

"She's had great results with our up-and-coming kids at World Juniors [Championships] and with the Nor Ams, and she has an incredible legacy of coaching success. She leaves a big footprint for us to fill."

Williams, who moved to Park City three years ago, said she planned to coach through the upcoming moguls camp next month. Clark and St. Pierre said she would be replaced but there was no immediate timetable on naming a successor.