AUSTIN, TEXAS — University of Texas women’s track coach Bev Kearney resigned last Saturday and acknowledged in an interview that she had an intimate relationship with an athlete in her program in 2002.

Kearney, who won six national championships since 1993, was placed on paid leave in November as university officials investigated unspecified issues within the program.

In a statement released Saturday night, university officials said the relationship was first reported to the school in October and the school was taking measures to fire Kearney before she resigned.