BUTLER TWP — Longtime Moniteau softball coach Dan Hindman was hired as Butler's new softball coach.

Hindman, 46, was approved as coach at the Butler school board meeting Monday night.

He served as assistant softball coach at Moniteau from 1999-2002 and has been the Warriors head coach for the past eight seasons.

“We were able to post consistent winning seasons at Moniteau, and that's what I'm hoping to bring to Butler,” Hindman said.

Hindman never had a losing season at Moniteau, winning District 9 championships in 2007 and 2008. The Warriors finished 16-4 and were district runners-up in 2009 before finishing 11-7 and bowing in the district semifinals last season.

“His success and experience at Moniteau are what gave him the edge in getting this position,” Butler athletic director Bill Mylan said. “We feel like he can lead this program in the right direction.”

There were six applicants considered for the Butler position.

Hindman succeeds Lori Kline, who was 18-13 in two years, including a WPIAL Class AAAA playoff appearance and the program's first playoff victory in 2009.

Kline resigned the position for personal reasons.

Butler finished 9-8, 3-7 in section play, last season.

“The challenge of coaching at the Quad-A level, the highest level of high school softball, is intriguing to me,” Hindman said. “I know I'm going to work hard at this and so will the players.

“I'm hoping to meet with the girls in a couple of weeks and get things going. I know there's some good talent returning to the program.”

Butler returns senior starting pitcher Angie Reddick and its entire starting infield.

Besides coaching high school softball, Hindman served as an assistant coach with the 10-and-under Slippery Rock Storm last summer, along with the Pittsburgh Pride.

His 10-year-old daughter, Cheyenne, played for those teams.

Cheyenne Hindman struck out 188 batters in 77 innings with the Storm last summer.

Hindman also coached former Butler shortstop Jenna Geibel — now playing for Slippery Rock University — in summer ball in 2007 and 2008.

Mylan said Hindman's involvement in summer softball also led to his hiring at Butler.

“We believe our girls need to play in the summer for our program to reach the next level, and Dan can work with them that way,” he said.

Hindman plans to do just that.

“Whether it's recreation or travel softball, I think playing in the summer is important to player development,” Hindman said. “I want to make sure the Butler girls are playing.”

Hindman's successor at Moniteau hasn't been named.

“I'm hoping one of the assistants there gets a chance, but I have no idea what direction they plan to go there,” Hindman said.