BUTLER TWP — After refusing to resign in the morning, Butler varsity football coach Garry Cathell saw his position opened Monday night at the Butler School Board meeting.

"I got the ax today," Cathell said.

Still dean of students at Butler High School, Cathell, 50, compiled an 18-32 won-loss record in five years with the Golden Tornado. He is 98-112-4 in 21 years as a high-school football coach.

Despite returning nine starters each on offense and defense from a 5-5 squad in 2005, Butler struggled to a 3-7 record this season.

Still, he had the support of parents, players and the booster club, some of whom showed up at Monday's meeting.

With her words breaking with emotion, Raylene Furka told the board how her son, Dustin, appreciated Cathell.

"He said 'Mom, if there's one thing coach has taught us, it's that it's not about winning, it's about how we play the game,'" Furka said. "(The decision) is about what's best for our boys, and, in our eyes, that's Coach Cathell."

She was among those who said they thought the board's decision was more about wins than about the character of the coach. She also said she thought the board was motivated politically.

"I appreciate those people talking (Monday night)," said Cathell, who did not attend the meeting. "Them going on their own means a lot. Sometimes you feel like you get pounded on the head. I was released because I didn't win. I was always told that kind of stuff didn't matter."

Nancy McElhinny of the football boosters asked they board how members could make the decision to let the coach go when they haven't talked with the players or parents.

"We don't understand how these decisions are being made," she said.

Board member John Conrad told the audience that his vote wasn't political.

"There seems to be great concern for political maneuvering behind the scene. From this seat on the board, there isn't any," he said. "Our focus is on the kids."

Board president Diane Snyder agreed and said the decision was made by a number of people, such as administrators and the athletic director, who collect information.

Those who spoke said the focus should be on coaching leadership, not on the win column.

Calling Cathell an "outstanding coach" and a "gentleman," junior player Jeff Achezinski said he came to show his support for the coach.

Gary McElhinny, co-president of the football boosters, said the coach has had positive relationships with the midget football program, the boosters and the players.

"The board needs to research what he has accomplished, what he has done," he said.

"Please, allow Coach Cathell to remain my coach, mentor and friend," Achezinski pleaded to the board.

The board, however, voted 7 to 1 to open the varsity football head coach position. Chas Tanner voted against the measure and Robert Isherwood was absent.

Tanner said he voted against opening the position because of the Cathell's leadership. He said he thought hiring a coach opened the possibility of having a worse record in the next season.

"There's no place in high school for being let go due to wins and losses," said Cathell. "Colleges recruit people and the pros pay people. In high school, you get what you got. I've said this before, even with seven or eight wins,"Cathell added.

Cathell believes it takes more time than he was given to put a stamp on the program.

"A wise coach once told me, trying to cheer me up, 'Garry, sometimes it takes five years to change an attitude and five years to get the wins.'

"I can walk away knowing I gave everything I had. I've had great kids play for me."