Vasas

Quite simply, Curt Vasas couldn't be at two places at the same time.

That's why the Knoch girls basketball coach stepped down recently, a few months after leading the Knights to an 11-win improvement over the previous season and to the WPIAL playoffs.

"I always asked for 100 percent from my players," Vasas said. "I didn't feel like I could give them that myself."

In mid-December, Vasas accepted a job as assistant principal at Canon-McMillan High School.

He continued to coach the Knights while making the long trek from Canonsburg to Knoch to his Butler home each day.

"It came down to being a full-time or a part-time coach," Vasas said.

Vasas, 34, and his wife Katie also have three girls, Sarah, 8, Jenna, 6, and Megan, 4.

Vasas took some time after the season concluded to make his decision.

It wasn't an easy one, he said.

"I ran all the scenarios through my head," Vasas said. "But, at the same time, I didn't want to drag it out. It was the travel that was the big thing."

Vasas spent six seasons as the Knoch coach. His best season was in 2003-04, when he led the Knights to an 18-6 record and the program's first playoff appearance in 18 years.

Vasas won the Butler Eagle Girls Coach of the Year award after that season and was strongly considered for the award this year.

"Looking back at the six years spent here, the three playoff wins stand out," Vasas said. "And beating Mars this year (for the first time in his coaching career). It sounds kind of weird, but, if we hadn't beaten them, there would have always been that nagging feeling.

"The best part is the people I've met, both players and parents."

Vasas was a teacher in the South Butler School District for 12 years and served as an assistant track and field coach.

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

Vasas hasn't ruled out a return to coaching in the future.

"You never close the door on anything," Vasas said. "In the immediate future, I don't see anything happening. If the situation is right, I will consider it again. I do have three daughters.

"As far as next year, I wanted to be back at Knoch," he added. "It just wasn't going to work out."

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