BUTLER TWP - The wins and losses didn't add up for Joe Lewandowski.

After seven seasons at the helm, the Butler varsity boys basketball coach lost that job Monday night when the school board voted to open the position.

The vote was 6-2 in favor of looking for a new coach. The board voted without comment. Members Helene Abramowitz, Art Bernardi, Ben Holland, Cory Hurley, Craig Lucas and Diane Snyder voted to open the position. Board members John Conrad and Arthur Haag voted against the motion. Linda Patton was absent.

Lewandowski, 34, was 74-88 in his seven seasons with two winning campaigns and one WPIAL playoff berth, which occurred in the 2007-08 season when Butler finished 13-8 and lost a first-round playoff game to Norwin.

The Golden Tornado were 7-14 last season, losing their last five games.

"I found out about this at 3 p.m. (Monday)," Lewandowski said. "I was called into a meeting and the principal and athletic director told me I had their support and they wanted me back to coach next year, but the board decided to open the position based on wins and losses."

Butler's team had limited varsity experience in the 2008-09 season. Its lone returning starter, Christos Klutinoty, missed the entire season after suffering a knee injury in the Tornado's final football game.

"If we have Christos healthy this year, maybe we make the playoffs and none of this happens," Lewandowski said.

Butler lost a tiebreaker for a playoff spot in 2006-07, finishing 12-12 and winning at New Castle for the first time in 15 years. The 2005-06 team was 14-10, but fell short of a playoff bid.

One year, he lost starters Noah Hartung, Sean Lowry and Blake Anderson to injuries.

"A coach is supposed to overcome injuries. I guess I didn't do that well enough," Lewandowski said.

The board's decision came after Lewandowski, assistant coach Jon McKay and several parents pleaded with the board to keep the coach on for another season.

Lewandowski attributed the team's weakness last season to its youth. He added that he teaches the players to be good students and have good character as well.

"I just can't believe I have that kind of passion in my backyard," parent Steve Kraus said of the coach. "He really understands the game. I thought he did a wonderful job with what he had out there."

Butler had a freshman point guard in Nate Snodgrass and a sophomore center in Bobby Swartwout. The Tornado freshman team won its section each of the past two years.

"We're on the cusp of something big here. The program's turning the corner and I'm disappointed I won't be here to reap the benefits of that," Lewandowski said. "But that's the board's decision. I have to respect it and move on."

Lewandowski's brother, Bryant, was the leading scorer on the 1996-97 Butler team that lost the Western Final in double overtime to Franklin Regional.

Lewandowski was in the stands that night and picked a Hershey's chocolate kiss off the court after the game.

"I still have that Hershey's kiss in my desk," he said. "My goal has been to get this program to Hershey and a state championship. And I wanted to do it the right way: by grooming Butler kids to get there."

McKay told the board other Butler varsity sports also aren't making the playoffs and wondered why Lewandowski was getting the heat.

"It gets no better than the gentleman sitting here," said parent Jeff Bailey.

"I feel blessed to have so many caring people speak on my behalf," Lewandowski said after the meeting. "Hearing what they had to say ... It's one of the great things about coaching."

Lewandowski took players to New York City, Virginia and West Virginia for basketball events during his tenure as coach.

"It was all about getting them as much exposure as I could," he said. "Basketball can open a lot of doors for a kid.

"I'm proud of the fact that every kid I coached went on to college except one (Matt Shockey), and he joined the military.

"In fact, Matt called us from Iraq to wish us luck before the Christmas tournament one year. I can't tell you how gratifying that was," Lewandowski added.

Lewandowski plans to coach again.

"Oh, yeah. It's in me," he said. "There's something about taking a young kid and developing him into a great basketball player. I love it."

Staff writer Megan Duncan contributed to this report.