Coach of Iowa rowing team steps down amid lawsuit by former team member

Iowa women's rowing coach Mandi Kowal has resigned after an 18-year tenure in which she built the program but also faced scrutiny over her treatment of athletes.

Athletics director Gary Barta announced Kowal's resignation Wednesday, calling her an "outstanding person" who was dedicated to the program.

Rowing is Iowa's largest women's sport, with up to 80 participants. Kowal headed the program since it assumed varsity status in 1994. She pushed for a new boathouse, which opened in 2009.

The resignation comes amid a lawsuit brought by ex-coxswain Margaret Krusing, who claims she developed a painful condition in her legs after poorly supervised workouts. Her attorney says the state recently agreed to settlement talks.

A recently released 2008 memo shows Kowal was instructed to "bring about a culture of student-athlete well-being."