Steve Vertin didn't want to talk timelines Tuesday afternoon, shortly after Bishop LeBlond named him its next head football coach.

At 61, talk of retirement and how many years are left in the tank shouldn't seem out of the question. Vertin only wanted to say that the turnaround of a program will take "three to five of the best years of your life."

Vertin appears ready for the commitment.

As the gravel-voiced mentor is prone to do, Vertin cited some national personalities for his optimism. Bill Snyder announced a return to the Kansas State sidelines this year at nearly 70, and Penn State coach Joe Paterno won't even discuss retirement at the age of 82.

"If I can't take care of things at 3529 Frederick, we have a problem," he said.

Despite swirling rumors of Central coach Tony Dudik taking the position either this year or next, Vertin made it clear Tuesday that he wants to take charge of the Golden Eagles program and resurrect a program in a string of six straight losing seasons. How long that takes remains to be seen, especially for the smallest school in the powerful Midland Empire Conference.

Vertin deserves the benefit of the doubt with 37 years of coaching experience in football - all as an assistant.

He's been a part of a state championship staff and multiple state semifinalists during his 27 years in Nebraska prior to his recent decade at LeBlond. But it's that same longevity that brings up questions of years left.

Vertin doesn't believe his age makes him any different from other coaches.

"The way I see it, we're all one check-up from being done," he said.