He was asked the question a number of times during the season ... a little more frequently these days: Are you coming back as head coach?

Serra Catholic's Bob Rozanski, who completed his 29th season with the Eagles program, understands the reasons for the inquiries.

His son, Marc, the team's leading scorer, is a senior and will graduate and take his game to Seton Hill University in nearby Greensburg.

Plus, 29 years of coaching at the high school level can wear on a person.

Rozanski, who teaches English at Serra, said he hasn't made a decision yet, and from the tone in his voice it was hard to tell if he was leaning one way or the other.

Serra lost to Kennedy Catholic, 56-50, six days ago in a PIAA Class A quarterfinal at North Hills. The Eagles had a terrific season, finishing 24-4 and winning the Section 3-A title. They also had a 16-game winning streak along the way.

"I've never had a team do that in my 29 years of coaching," Rozanski said. "I never had a team play so consistently well."

On the other hand, Leechburg upset Serra, 56-55, in a WPIAL semifinal. Rozanski said he thought his team was capable of winning WPIAL and PIAA crowns this season.

"We had one bad half [against Leechburg] and it cost us," he said. "We played better the second half of that game, but couldn't pull it out. I just hope one bad half doesn't overshadow all the good things we did this season. I still can't explain it."

As always, Rozanski said he would take a couple of weeks before he makes a decision on whether he'll be back for season No. 30 with the Eagles. He said making a quick decision after a tough loss isn't a good idea.

The fact Marc Rozanski, a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 18.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists, will be just down Route 30 at Seton Hill means Bob Rozanski can easily make his son's home games even after a practice at Serra.

It's not as if coaching is going to interfere much with being a proud parent in the stands.

Serra also will have four of its top eight players returning next season. Pat Grubbs, a 6-8 junior who averaged 14.5 points and 11 rebounds a game, has a chance to be outstanding with some offseason work and could even grow a couple of inches.

Others returning who saw plenty of action are 6-1 junior Anthony Epolito, a 3-point specialist who averaged 11.9 points, 5-7 junior T.J. Heatherington and 6-4 sophomore Nick Dizon.

Toss in the junior varsity being undefeated until its last game of the season and it's easy to understand why Serra could compete for a WPIAL title again next season.

"We've been on an up cycle," Rozanski said. "And our JV players got an extra month or so of work, and got to experience some big games.

"When we played Elk County Catholic at Clarion [in a PIAA second-round game] it was so loud it was hard to hear what the players were saying. That [experience] should help us."

Of course, if Rozanski does return for a 30th season on the bench, it won't be the same with his second son off to college after running Serra's offense.

Some coaching fathers have said they don't want to have their sons or daughters on their teams. Rozanski said he didn't have any problems coaching Marc.

"He played super for us and I never had a bit of trouble doing it," he said. "The better the competition, the better he played."

Marc Rozanski was looked at by some Division I schools, but decided to sign with coach Tony Morocco and Seton Hill, an NCAA Division II program, in October.

"Marc knows he's not going to the NBA. He wants to be a coach and Tony knows a lot of people ... and that doesn't hurt," Rozanski said. "We never told [Marc] he had to stay close, it's just the way things worked out. [Seton Hill] is just 25 minutes away, it's that close."

Marc Rozanski will play in the Roundball Classic April 14 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls. By that time, his father will have probably made a decision on his coaching future.

"I can't see myself coaching anywhere else," said Bob Rozanski, a Serra alumnus. "I don't think I could coach at a public school.

"I've seen guys resign and then pop back up as a coach at another school.

"That's not for me. If I'm going to coach, it's going to be at Serra.

"And I want to make sure I leave the program in good shape when I do leave.

"I've seen too many coaches bail out when times get a little tough."