"Tim, because we had a relationship with him in the past ... he was a known commodity," GHS Athletic Director Jack Daley said. "We know the kind of character he had and the type of coach he is.

"We feel like we were kind of fortunate. The stars met up at all the right spots."

Jones coached the Mustangs for two seasons, advancing to the second round of the Central Coast Section playoffs in his second year. He reassumes control of a program that has been suffering from a lack of leadership the past few months as the school district conducted two investigations into Susan Shapiro, a first-year coach whose contract was not renewed after complaints of religious discrimination, harassment and retaliation were filed by the parents of two players.

While both Gilroy Unified School District investigations, which spanned seven months and cost more than $25,000, found that Shapiro did not discriminate, harass or follow through on threats of retaliation against two of her players, Superintendent Deborah Flores decided not to bring the coach back for a second season. Other infractions for recruiting and favortism did turn up in the investigations.

The first complaint with the district, filed by Ed and Lisa Foster, parents of GHS senior Lindsey Foster, stated that Shapiro had discriminated against their daughter for religious reasons. The complaint included accusations of harassment, bullying and intimidation. Upon learning that Shapiro planned on cutting Lindsey Foster from next year's team, along with fellow senior Laura Steele, the Fosters and Tina Steele, Laura Steele's mother, filed second and third complaints with GUSD for retaliation.

Since those complaints and the ensuing decision to not retain Shapiro, a debate amongst players, parents, community members, and Shapiro's husband, Gary Cates, has taken place online on the Dispatch's comments section. The result, according to Shapiro and others close to the situation, has been a fractured team morale after the Mustangs, who return almost all of their players from last season's squad, advanced to the CCS semifinals in March.

Jones said it would be his goal to put the focus on the future.

"If we can overcome some things and come together as a group, and accept the new ideas that I'm going to put forth, I think a team with the talent we have could achieve at least something like [last season] and maybe advance even further," he said.

Jones most recently coached the Burlington Cougars of Colorado to a Class 2A state championship appearance in 2006.

Shapiro declined comment on being replaced as coach Thursday. Instead, she e-mailed a letter to The Dispatch she sent to parents, players and supporters of the program earlier in the week.

"There are and would be far too many parameters for me to be the passionate and independent coach that I am," Shapiro wrote. "I will trust for those of you that have been involved in this situation from its inception will always know the real truth. I am not writing this to explain the case all over again. I am writing this to say thank you for some of the best moments I have had thus far. I have been coaching since 1989 but this group has been the one that has gotten to my heart. You girls will be my inspiration for years to come."

The hiring of Jones was set in motion rather quickly once Flores decided Shapiro would not be returning to coach the team. Jones contacted the school about a teaching position early in the summer and only became a candidate for the coaching position in the last few weeks. Daley said on Thursday he has talked on the phone with Jones several times, but he has not met with the new coach for an in-person interview. Flores and new GHS principal Marco Sanchez met with Jones Thursday for the first time in a final interview.

"He has a challenge in front of him and that's to look forward and look at bringing the team together rather than looking back," Daley said. "Tim is a guy with a lot of qualities and good character. I think he's going to be able to bring the girls together and press on. They're an extremely talented group and hopefully with his help they'll be able to focus on the future."

Jones and his wife, Lulu, will live in Gilroy with their two sons.

The new coach is hopeful that the bad blood surrounding the program can be washed away as he, the players and their parents become familiar with one another.

"We don't really know each other yet so we'll all kind of grow with each other," Jones said. "I kind of see it as a fresh start for all of us."