CRANBERRY TWP — Dave Long's won-loss record at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic is impeccable.

Yet the longtime Trojans' boys basketball coach was absent from the bench Tuesday night while an undisclosed issue within the program was being reviewed by school officials.

“I'm not at liberty to say what's going on,” Long said. “I'm just exercising patience. Hopefully, this gets resolved soon so I can get back on the bench.”

Long has been North Catholic boys basketball coach since 1999. He served as an assistant under legendary coach Don Graham for 18 years before that.

He is a 1970 North Catholic graduate himself and has guided the program to four WPIAL championships, including the past two years.

He has never been a teacher at North Catholic or at the school's current location in Cranberry.

Long reportedly sat in on a meeting with the school officials Wednesday. Frank Holloran and Long's nephew, Jimmy Long, were among the assistants who coached the Trojans to a key 51-34 win over Avonworth Tuesday night.

CWNC's next game is at home Saturday afternoon with Franklin Regional. Long does not know if he will be there.

“I was told they'll call me when this is all sorted out,” he said. “I don't know when that will be.”

Long has a career record of 322-173 as North Catholic coach, including nine section titles and 16 consecutive WPIAL playoff appearances.

This year's Trojan team is 10-10 overall, 7-3 and in second place in Section 2-3A. CWNC is allowing 42.6 points per game, fewest in all of WPIAL Class 3A.

Long coached a “feeder” youth basketball program in the Dioceses before joining the high school staff.

Despite his lofty record at the school, Long says he has no problem with waiting for a conclusion to the current situation.

“People have jobs to do and they're doing this the way they're supposed to do it,” he said. “I'm comfortable with that.

“When people don't do their jobs properly, that's when we have problems in this world.”

While Long insists he doesn't know when he'll be back coaching the team, he says he wants to return.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I've been coaching football or basketball with this school since the late 1970's. It's been nothing but good to me.

“I respect this process. All I can do is wait.”