BUTLER TWP — A new varsity football coach is coming to Butler High. But he's not arriving anytime soon.

The search is on for the Golden Tornado's sixth head coach since 1993 — and it will be a diligent, time-consuming one.

Superintendent Ed Fink said applications will be accepted through Jan. 22.

"Applications will be screened and reviewed for the better part of February," Fink said. "The interview process will likely begin toward the end of February and continue into March."

Fink emphasized that no timetable exists for hiring a coach.

"Making the right hire takes precedent over when it happens," he said. "We're going to take our time and thoroughly review the candidates.

"For our student athletes, the community and our school district, it's imperative we bring in a person who's going to turn this thing around."

Jeff McAnallen was relieved of the position last month after posting a 3-24 record over three seasons. McAnallen remains a teacher in the Butler School District and has expressed interest in becoming an assistant coach, if the next coach has interest in him.

The Tornado will enter the 2010 campaign on a 15-game losing streak and haven't won a section game since 2006.

School board member Art Bernardi said the administration will be more aggressive in this search than in previous football hires.

"We've already received a couple of calls and we're reviewing those," Bernardi said. "I'm sure we'll get a few more calls. We're going to make calls to individuals who we feel can take over this program and head it in the proper direction."

The next agenda-setting meeting of the school board is Monday. The next regular meeting is Jan. 18.

"The football season just ended. There is no rush on this," board member Ben Holland said. "We want to exhaust all sources in this search."

Calls from people recommending potential candidates "will be acted upon," Fink said.

Fink used the hiring and subsequent success of Tornado baseball coach Dave Florie as an example.

The longtime Seneca Valley coach won a state championship with the Raiders, retired as a teacher and was n't coaching anywhere when Butler pursued him in 2006.

"Somebody mentioned his name as a guy who could change our baseball program and Coach Florie's clearly done that," Fink said. "He did not apply for the job here and would not have had we not called him."

Florie took Butler to the WPIAL baseball playoffs the past two springs after the program failed to reach postseason play in 11 years. The Tornado baseball team reached the WPIAL semifinals last year.

"The right candidate doesn't always come knocking on the door," Fink said.

Holland described the hiring of boys basketball coach Matt Clement as a product of patience.

"We took our time there and that's working out pretty well," he said. "We need to do the same for football.

"We will thoroughly review all applications, but the option of contacting a person from elsewhere may certainly be explored as well."

Butler's football opening has been posted in newspapers throughout the region and in neighboring states.

"All applications will still be considered," Bernardi said. "But as anxious as we all are, this hiring won't be a hasty one."

Fink said that a potential coach also seeking a teaching job in Butler will not be discouraged.

"If the person is also interested in a teaching job, we'll see what's available in the spring, due to retirements or other changes," he said.