KARNS CITY — After 12 seasons and a current run of four successive District 9 championships, Dave Kerschbaumer is resigning as head girls basketball coach at Karns City High School.

Kerschbaumer, 54, cited his full-time employment as the reason for his departure. He is head of transportation for Iron Mountain and has been with that company for 30 years.

“My job is going to require much more traveling now,” Kerschbaumer said. “I'll be going to Johnstown, Columbus, Cleveland ... too much time away.

“It wouldn't be fair to the girls if I was only there part of the time. For me to coach, I have to be all in.”

Kerschbaumer has been with the KC girls basketball program for 19 years. He has also been an assistant football coach with the Gremlins.

He served as an assistant under Larry Deal and Chris Bellis before taking over as head coach.

Kerschbaumer informed KC athletic director Brian Markle of his decision to resign last week. The resignation will be formally accepted at next Monday night's school board meeting.

Kerschbaumer was 91-15 over the past four seasons. The Gremlins won 13 straight games last year before their season ended in the PIAA playoffs.

When Kerschbaumer told the players of his plans to resign after a recent summer practice, “a lot of tears were flowing and they were mostly mine.

“I'm going to miss this.”

Markle is hopeful Karns City will have a replacement for Kerschbaumer “in two months, if that long.”

“Assistant coaches have to be hired and we're hoping our current assistants stay with the program insome capacity,” Markle said.

Mike Hegedus and Steve Andreassi were assistants under Kerschbaumer last year and could be candidates to replace him.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.