John Aubrey Sr. and his caddie and son, John Aubrey Jr, look over a putt attempt at the Senior PGA Championship in 2005. The Butler school board hired the younger Aubrey as the Butler High golf coach Monday.

BUTLER TWP — John Aubrey Jr. has come full circle and wasted little time in doing so.

Aubrey, 25, was named golf coach at Butler High Monday, replacing his former mentor and returning to the program he helped lead to a WPIAL championship eight years ago.

"I know I'm young, but I probably have more knowledge of the game than some 40- or 50-year-old coaches, given my background," Aubrey said.

A 2003 Butler graduate, Aubrey graduated from Penn State in 2007 with a degree in accounting. He was a member of the Nittany Lions golf team.

He has caddied for his father, John Aubrey Sr., at the U.S. Open and in numerous PGA Senior events. The Aubrey family owns and operates Aubrey's Dubbs Dred golf course in Butler Township.

"I played in two USGA Junior national tournaments, one in Oregon, one in Atlanta," Aubrey said. "I've seen a lot in this sport. I plan to use those experiences in my coaching."

Aubrey replaces Hank Keller, who died Sept. 1 after a bout with cancer. Junior varsity coach Mark Maloy moved up to varsity and coached last year on an interim basis.

Aubrey was in Philadelphia doing training for opening his own insurance office when Keller died.

"I couldn't get back to see his family and pay my respects to Hank," he said. "He was more than my coach. He was a good friend. We had a great relationship.

"He always stayed in touch with me long after I went on to Penn State."

Keller was Butler's golf coach for 18 years.

Aubrey golfed for Keller's 2002 WPIAL championship team, the last time a Golden Tornado golf team won the district crown. He placed fourth in the PIAA Tournament that fall, becoming Butler's first golfer to place in the state tournament in 10 years.

"When I went away to college, I wasn't quite prepared to play at that level," Aubrey said. "I was 5-foot-10 and weighed maybe 150 pounds at the time and I couldn't hit it real far.

"I picked up on a great workout routine while I was at Penn State. I had a personal trainer and learned a lot. Upper body strength plays a vital role in golf and I'll be instituting a weight training program to help prepare kids for their future in the game."

When Aubrey graduated from college, he lined up job interviews in Houston, New York City and Chicago.

The family's golf course steered him back home.

"I want to keep being part of that," Aubrey said. "My uncle talked me into the insurance field. Now I have my own Allstate office in Butler. When my office is closed on weekends, I can help out with the family business when things get busy."

And he plans to stay busy with his golf team.

"I'm excited about the prospects of this," Aubrey said. "I'm here to help in any way possible. It wasn't that long ago I was one of those kids."