Grenek

PITTSBURGH — Tony Grenek is back in charge again.

The Butler High graduate and former Butler County Community College men’s basketball coach has been named head women’s basketball coach at Point Park University.

Grenek, 39, who coached at BC3 from 2001-06, has been the top assistant at Division II Seton Hill the past five years. The Griffins finished at 22-7 and 23-8 the past two years, including a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 2009-10.

“Coach Grenek will be a great addition to our staff,” Point Park athletic director Dan Swalga said in a prepared statement. “We have a good thing going with our program, and I expect Tony will continue the growth and success of our recent past.

“We’re poised for great success in women’s basketball.”

Grenek replaces Sam Kosanovich, who resigned after last season to become Point Park’s Student Center Director fulltime.

“I’ve been looking for a head coaching position the past two years, ever since that Seton Hill team made the NCAA tournament,” Grenek said. “I felt like the time was right.

“Point Park and I are a good fit at this point.”

Point Park plans to jump from its current NAIA status to NCAA Division II in 2013. Grenek was at Seton Hill while the Griffins made that same transition.

“I’ve been through what it takes that way, all of the paperwork that needs done, all of the rule changes,” he said. “Having experienced all of that was definitely advantageous to my getting this opportunity.”

The Pioneers finished 14-13 in each of the past two seasons, marking the program’s first back-to-back winning seasons in 25 years. Point Park had not had a winning season in 16 years before the 2009-10 campaign.

Four starters return from last season, including All-AMC second team guard April Austin — an all-state high school player from North Catholic — and all-conference honorable mention selection Joncelyn Peterkin, a center.

Austin was originally recruited by the University of Dayton beforer transferring to Point Park.

“Walking in here and inheriting a Division I caliber point guard is a break for me,” Grenek said.

Getting Grenek may prove a good break for Point Park.

“This is a really good hire, getting someone from the Division II ranks,” Point Park sports information director Kevin Taylor said. “We’re hoping he continues and expands upon the success that’s been started in our women’s basketball program.”

Grenek led BC3 to the Region 20 Tournament in each of his five years there. The Pioneers were 35-19 under Grenek in his final two seasons at BC3.

He’s worked with Seton Hill head coach and former Miami (Fla.) coach Ferne Labati the past five years. Labati has more than 500 career victories.

“I’m grateful for my time at Seton Hill,” Grenek said. “Ferne allowed me to be a family man, so I could help my wife raise our two small children, while I coached. I’ll never forget that.

“My goal is to establish a consistent winning program that’s in the hunt every year. I’ve been on the job two days and have placed 150 phone calls to potential recruits, coaches, current players. We’re hitting the ground running.”