Coach Curt Vasas

JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch High School is losing its girls basketball coach — maybe.

Curt Vasas, 34, was hired Monday as assistant principal at Canon McMillan High School, thus resigning his position as a high school chemistry teacher at Knoch.

His basketball future at the school remains in limbo.

"I'm going to get through this season before I worry about what I'm going to do next year in terms of coaching,"Vasas said. "I told the girls tonight (Wednesday) that I'll be their coach at least through the remainder of this season."

How soon Vasas heads to Canon McMillan depends upon how quickly his teaching position is filled at Knoch. The South Butler School District can hold Vasas to his teachingduties at Knoch for up to 60 days.

"That's my understanding and I'm fine with that,"Vasas said. "I'm chemistry-certified and that may be harder to replace than some positions.

"I'll begin my duties at Canon McMillan whenever I become available."

Vasas is in his sixth season as Knoch girls basketball coach. The Knights finished 4-19 last year, but return all five starters.

Knoch's best year under Vasas was 18-6in 2003-04, a season resulting in Knoch's first WPIAL playoff appearance in 18 years.

Nicole Reiser was the point guard on that team and recently went over the 1,000-point mark at Pitt-Greensburg.

Vasas has been a teacher in the South Butler district for 12 years and has been a track and field coach with the high school for that long.

He has also been a junior high boys basketball and assistant football coach at Knoch.

"It's been great coaching here and I'm not ruling out continuing next year,"Vasas said. "After the season, I'll sort things out and see where it goes."