CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Kjell Oswald, the highly successful second-year head coach of the nationally ranked Oregon State men's rowing program, has resigned his position, Oswald announced Wednesday.

Oswald's wife, Kelly, recently accepted a position with the University of Washington Medicine in Seattle.

"Four years ago, my wife and I moved to Corvallis so that I could have the opportunity to coach," Oswald said. "It has been a wonderful four years professionally as well as personally, and I would not trade them for the world.

"Recently, my wife was given the opportunity of a lifetime to do development for the University of Washington Medicine," Oswald said. "This is an opportunity we can't pass up, and so it is with great sadness that I step down as head coach of men's rowing."

Oswald indicated he had no immediate plans to coach elsewhere.

"I can't imagine coaching at a better place than Oregon State," Oswald said. "Over the last four years, I've been shown what a great athletic department can be.

"There is greatness on the horizon for the Oregon State rowing team and the athletic department as a whole. Although it is unfortunate that I will not be a part of that future success, I am very excited about this next chapter in our lives and the adventures it will bring."

In June, Oswald became the first OSU rowing coach to earn Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Beavers to their highest-ever national ranking - seventh - and helping OSU finish ninth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships for the second year in a row.

The 2004 crew was named OSU's male sport Team of the Year at the athletic department's sixth annual Bennys Awards.

Oswald joined the OSU staff as an assistant coach in August of 2000 and served two years, helping the Beavers to fourth place at the 2002 IRA championships - the highest finish in program history.

"Kjell has elevated the men's rowing program to a new level of excellence," OSU director of athletics Bob De Carolis said. "He is a fine person and an outstanding coach. We certainly thank him for all of his efforts over the past four years and wish Kelly and him the best.

"The success of the men's rowing program has made this a coveted position, and we are confident we will find a highly qualified successor to Kjell."

Oswald was promoted to head coach in October, 2002.

A 1996 graduate of the University of Washington, Oswald returns to his hometown of Seattle.

Third-year assistant coach Steve Todd remains on the OSU staff.