Terry Smith will be Gateway High School's football coach again next season.

The Gateway school board had tabled the hiring of Smith and his coaching staff three different times -- in April, May and a few weeks ago. But the board rehired Smith and his assistants last night.

Smith has been successful in his seven seasons as Gateway's coach, winning 65 games and making the WPIAL Class AAAA championship game three times.

But he and his staff are on yearly contracts and Smith had become worried about his status after the board's hesitation to rehire him in recent months.

Board president Dave Magill had said the uncertainty about Smith's rehiring was partly because of concerns from at least one board member about his assistant coaches, and also because of budget concerns in the district.

"I'm relieved and happy this is behind us," Smith said. "Now we can just concentrate on getting ready for the season."