What is it going to take to put together a boys basketball program at Butler High School that reaches the WPIAL playoffs on a consistent basis?

No answer is forthcoming in this writing, but the new Golden Tornado coach — whomever he is — better have one.

Since Gene Rodgers guided the Tornado to the 2000 WPIAL Class AAAA championship game on the heels of George Abraham's sudden resignation, Butler has been to the postseason only one time.

Through the Mark Jula and Abraham years, a playoff berth was considered a virtual certainty pretty much every year.

What happened?

A lot.

Untimely injuries hit the program during a couple of seasons when a healthy team would have made the playoffs.

Longtime doormats in the section — Seneca Valley and North Hills, for example — elevated their programs to contender status.

New Castle, which joined Butler in bullying this section for a number of years, is no longer Quad-A. Pine-Richland took its place and Central Catholic has taken up residence here as well. Both of those programs have proven to be capable of getting to postseason.

A playoff berth is no longer a rite of passage for any team in Section 3-AAAA.

Dave DeGregorio, who used to coach Pine-Richland, since moved on to North Allegheny. Paul Holzshu, a former college coach, recently had the interim tag removed from his name at Shaler, where he took over after the sudden death of longtime coach Howie Ruppert last season.

Times, they are forever changing.

Now they're changing at Butler.

Again.

Outgoing coach Joe Lewandowski has been shown the door, but he's leaving a room that should look pretty attractive for a while.

All of Butler's starters are back next year. None were back this past year. The only one who was supposed to be — Christos Klutinoty — missed the season with a knee injury.

The Tornado's leading scorer last season was sophomore center Bobby Swartwout. Their point guard was freshman Nate Snodgrass. That's not a bad foundation for an incoming coach to inherit.

Vinny Schmidt, a junior next year, is on the verge of being a standout player. Brian Jendesky, Logan Renwick and Jeff Tompkins all return as experienced seniors with the competitive desire to win.

Add to all that a successful junior varsity program and a talent-laden junior high program and winning basketball is in place again at Butler.

Could Lewandowski have seen it through? We'll never know, though he should have gotten the chance.

Oh, well, another story for another time.

Whoever gets the job — pick your favorite rumor and insert the name here — will have a full cupboard to draw ingredients from.

And he better cook up a winner.

In high school sports these days, winning isn't just expected.

It's a job requirement.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.