Comments on: Former Fresno State coach Jim Sweeney passes away at 83

By: florida727

florida727 — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:04:36 +0000

How about “Sweeney Field at Bulldog Stadium”?

Florida State did something similar to honor Bobby Bowden. Only appropriate to pay tribute to someone that highly thought of and admired by Fresno fans.

I know in the grand scheme of things this isn’t important, but I love the symmetry of him finishing with exactly 200 wins (instead of 199 or 198 or whatever). It just has a certain ring to it. “Coach Sweeney. 200 wins.”

By: thegamecocker

thegamecocker — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 14:10:44 +0000

RIP Coach Sweeney.

By: foothillfrank

foothillfrank — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 13:45:24 +0000

Great coach. Also very funny man. When he was at Washington state and John McKay was at USC they were good friends. When they got together they made a very funny duo. RIP coach.

By: pdcooper08

pdcooper08 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 06:14:13 +0000

Well stated bunyani: He had a legend career working with many outstanding coaches from his days at Wazu and Fresno.

I have several friends that played for this man back in the 80′s and they all talk about how tough he was. Each one though much thge utmost respect for him as a coach and a man.

Chris Ault the recently retired HC at Reno kinda reminds me a lot of coach Sweeny. Both where pioneers at what they did, both from smaller schools, each finding ways to get it done. RIP coach

By: bunyanj

bunyanj — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 01:04:58 +0000

Jim Sweeney truly did put Fresno State on the College Football map. He wasn’t afraid to play the the more highly regarded teams from the major conferences and his teams won their share of those games. He also competed and won a significant number of conference games and championships. If he coached in today’s era, his teams would be the “BCS Busters”.

He left a legacy at Fresno State that Pat Hill was fortunate to inherit and build upon it. Coach Sweeney was the real deal.