Carlynton athletic director Dave Oddi wants to establish some kind of stability within the girls' varsity basketball program.

Three head coaches leaving in three years is not what he sees as solid ground.

Jonathan Rocco became the latest coach to submit his resignation after less than a year of coaching the girls' team.

"I don't think there's any doubt," Oddi said, "that we will be looking for something more permanent this time around. We need to establish some kind of stability for the girls."

Rocco was hired by Carlynton in October. His official reason for leaving, according to Oddi, was to pursue another position.

"He told us that it was in his best interest to leave, and we (accept that)," Oddi said.

However, Oddi said Rocco "gave other reasons to the kids."

Rocco did not return phone messages.

"We are obviously upset that he is leaving. We thought he made great strides with the girls."

The district has begun advertising the position.

Sonson called the position of varsity girls basketball coach at Carlynton his "dream come true" when he was hired. But following a 7-16 season in WPIAL AA Section 3, Sonson resigned from the post after only one year.

Sonson had been softball coach at Carlynton prior to that.

He had been an assistant girls high school coach at Carlynton for several years before being named head coach at Carlynton.

After Sonson's departure, Bob Thomas took over.

But Thomas did not stay long, either.

Thomas had to leave because of health problems, Oddi said.

The district hopes to have a new coach hired by the beginning of the next school year.

"The people that suffer the most are the girls on the team. It's really not fair to them," Oddi said.