SLIPPERY ROCK - For several years, Chris Burtch has been mulling this over.

Finally, with some hesitation and lots of rumination, the Slippery Rock High School boys basketball coach stepped down Monday after five years at the helm of the Rockets.

"It's one of those things that's such a difficult decision to make just simply because of how I feel about my players," Burtch said. "Every group of guys you get attached to."

But Burtch ultimately wanted to be much more attached to his family.

With his wife Chrissy at home with three young daughters, Burtch was concerned the time he spent in the gym would rob him of the valuable time spent watching Anna, 6, Lily, 3, and Mary, 6 months, grow up.

"It's one of those things that when I took the job, I knew what the price is for your family," Burtch said. "As the years went on, every year I had to take a look at that. There are things at this point in time that I don't want to miss. There's just so much going on here and such important stuff.

"They are only little for a short time. I want to be a regular guy and a dad for awhile," he added.

Burtch, 35, has been coaching for 12 years in the Slippery Rock school district. He took over for Posey Rhoads as the headman on the Rockets' bench before the 1999-2000 season.

In his five years, the Rockets compiled a 72-57 record, made four postseason appearances and earned three District 10 and two PIAA playoff berths.

In his first season as head coach, Burtch led the Rockets to the playoffs for the first time since 1980.

"I'm really grateful for all the efforts of all the players I've had," Burtch said. "Not to be overly dramatic, but I've made the basketball program here my life's work.

"I feel like I'm leaving the Slippery Rock boys basketball program as a legitimate District 10 contender every year," he added.

Slippery Rock athletic director Cory Hake said that while Burtch's decision came as a mild surprise, it wasn't completely unexpected.

Hake himself has two young children at home and understands the call of the family.

"I give him a lot of credit," Hake said. "It wasn't easy for him, but he just had his third child last summer and basketball is pretty much a year-round thing. I'm sure he's excited to pursue a few other interests."

Burtch said he plans to return to graduate school to further his education in history. Burtch is a social studies teacher at the school.

The toughest part for Burtch was telling his team.

Burtch turned in his resignation last Thursday and talked to his players about it Friday morning. His resignation wasn't official until the school board meeting Monday.

"That was the hardest part," Burtch said. "You want to go console the players, but you are the reason they need consoled. Some coaches choose to be distant from their players, but I've always chosen to be close with my players."

Don't close the book on Burtch just yet. He has every intention of returning to the bench someday.

"I'm sure I'll always have tinges (to return)," Burtch said. "Right now I'm planning on jumping into this family with the same intensity as I did basketball."