BUTLERTWP — Curt Phillips just can't get enough coaching.

The former Butler High School boys track coach surrendered that position in 2000 to accept one as an assistant with the University of Pittsburgh track and field team.

Phillips coaches the javelin and pole vault at Pitt, reinstating a pole vault program that had been dormant since the 1970s.

"There was nothing here in the pole vault when I came here,"Phillips said. "All of the records date back to the '70s, and the top vaults then are pretty commonplace among Division I college programs today."

Pitt's pole vaulting figures this season are certainly noteworthy, however. Phillips has guided two Panthers pole vaulters to the 2006 NCAADivision I Indoor Nationals this weekend at the University of Arkansas.

Sophomore Keith Higham has vaulted 17 feet and a quarter inch, ranking sixth in the nation. Senior Marissa Dudek has vaulted 13-5, ranking 11th among Division Iwomen.

Pitt sent one pole vaulter to the outdoor nationals last spring. Overall, Phillips has coached eight Big East champion pole vaulters over the past four seasons.

Yet something was still missing from the coaching end of his life.

"I'm still a (Butler)high school physics teacher and I never stopped following the athletic teams here,"Phillips said. "I loved my time coaching Butler track. I still miss it."

Phillips and former girls track coach Mike Seybert combined forces to post four consecutive unbeaten seasons and four straight WPIALoutdoor team championships at one point.

Now, Phillips has his hand in Butler athletics againas weight-lifting coach with Eric Campbell.

Campbell, a Golden Tornado assistant under former head football coach Mark Farabee, runs the afternoon weight room session while Phillips runs the morning session.

Both replace longtime Butler weight lifting coach Joe Savannah, who retired in June.

"We've got 13 football players coming in and lifting at 6:30 in the morning three days a week,"Phillips said. "That's a story in and of itself.

"I love the passion these kids are showing. It brings out the passion I have for working with young athletes."

It also adds to an already hectic schedule. Phillips runs the weight room from 6:15 to 8 a.m., then teaches all day. He leaves for the University of Pittsburgh every day after school and doesn't return home until 7:30 or 8 p.m.

Just about every weekend from December through May, Phillips is on the road with the Panthers to a track and field meet somewhere.

"The Big East Championships are similar to the WPIALChampionships, in a way,"he said. "Except the travel is a lot different.

"It's a crazy schedule at times, but I enjoy it. Without my wife's complete understanding of my passion to coach, none of this would be possible."

Phillips said he decided to apply for the weight room position for the challenge as much as filling a void in his career.

"This is a different challenge for me,"he said. "You just want to use your experience in different places.

"The kids here are so dedicated. If kids are willing to put the time in and the coaches match that enthusiasm, you can have a great program.

"It takes consistent hard work on both ends to be successful in school and athletics,"Phillips added.