Still sporting a passion for the game, Dave Florie has returned to high school baseball.

Given the choice, he never would have left.

Florie, 64, was named Butler High School's new varsity baseball coach and will try to revitalize a program that hasn't had a winning season in 14 years.

"Some people I know in Butler asked me to apply," Florie said. "I checked my family situation, talked it over with my wife and son. … They know I'm still passionate about coaching.

"I did a little research of the job and decided to take it."

Florie was Seneca Valley's baseball coach from 1985 to 2000. He guided the Raiders to eight playoff appearances in 16 years, winning a WPIAL title in 1994 and a state championship in 1995.

"We had 10 to 12 people come forward with interest in the job," Butler athletic director Tim O'Malley said. "Dave is the one with a proven track record. He's obviously had ample success as a high school baseball coach."

Florie retired from his position as a guidance counselor Seneca Valley in 1999, ending a 37-year career in education.

"The school board there didn't want a retiree being a head coach in the district," Florie said. "They gave me one more year (as baseball coach), then I had to get out."

Florie had a 244-119 record at Seneca Valley. He was head basketball coach there from 1969-74 and was an assistant basketball coach at Beaver Falls from 1966-69.

Florie spent 10 years coaching all levels of baseball in the small town of Koppel, located between Ellwood City and Beaver Falls, before moving on to Beaver Falls.

From 1974 through 1985, he was out of coaching completely.

"I've spent the last four years baby-sitting my grandchildren, but I've always wanted to get back into coaching," Florie said.

He said he's fortunate to get back in with a large school district.

"I feel grateful that the Butler people have shown such an interest in me," Florie said. "I haven't met with the kids yet, but I'll do that as soon as possible."

Florie's age and absence from coaching over the past few years does not bother O'Malley.

"How old is the guy coaching the Marlins?" O'Malley said in reference to 74-year-old Florida manager Jack McKeon. "You're as old as you feel. This guy is excited about this job and he's very passionate about baseball."

Florie replaces Ron Zawrotuk, who served as the Golden Tornado's baseball coach the past eight years.

Butler baseball has dropped 52 of the 68 games it's played over the last four seasons. The Tornado were 3-16 overall last spring and are 4-20 in section play over the past two years.

"(Zawrotuk) is a high-quality gentleman well thought of and highly respected in baseball circles," O'Malley said. "Unfortunately, his efforts and expertise didn't translate into the won-loss record."

Florie interviewed eight assistant coaching candidates Monday, including two from Butler's current staff.

"My first priority is to put a staff together," he said. "I've never worked with Mr. O'Malley before, but I'm hoping he'll take my recommendations."

O'Malley said Florie would have plenty of input into filling the assistant coaching berths.

"It's been our policy to have the head coach recommend people he's fully comfortable in working with," he said. "In turn, the head coach is held accountable for their performance."

Butler's varsity baseball team doesn't stay together during the summer, as they help comprise the rosters of the Butler City, Butler Township, East Butler, Center Township and Meridian teams in the Butler County American Legion league.

Florie doesn't view that as a problem.

"When I coached at Seneca Valley, we had kids playing in Zelienople, Cranberry and Evans City over the summer," he said. "Once we get the kids together for conditioning, we're a team again."

Florie, who said he won't take a hands-on approach with his players until conditioning begins in January, lives in Zelienople.