Longtime assistant Dan Jones was hired as the interim Gaffney High head football coach Monday. Dan Jones will have to get used to viewing the game from a different vantage point.

As Gaffney High defensive coordinator for the past seven years, Jones called the defensive signals from atop the pressbox.

As the newly-hired interim coach, Jones will be making crucial decisions while standing on the sidelines.

“It will be weird that I’ll be on the field especially with the crown of the field and being my height,” the diminutive Jones joked.

Joking aside, Jones is serious about upholding the high standards set by previous coaches, including his predecessor Phil Strickland.

“I’m excited and looking forward to the season,” Jones said. “I played at Gaffney and coached here for 17 years, so I know what it means to this town. It does put a lot of pressure on you, but that’s why I like it. I’m looking forward to it.”

Jones was hired on a 1-year interim basis Monday by the school board. District officials opened the door for Jones to be named the full time coach if he has a successful season.

Jones will receive a head coaching stipend of $16,000 — the same stipend given to Strickland. Jones had earned $7,000 as an assistant coach.

As for on the field, Jones said there won’t be major changes under his leadership. Assistants Ben Fuller and Kevin Phillips will serve as co-defensive coordinators. Donnie Littlejohn will continue in his role as offensive coordinator.

Jones said he has confidence in his coaches and will give them the freedom to make decisions.

“Ben and Kevin will do some minor things to make (the defense) their own,” he said. “I feel like they have been successful and I’m excited for them. I will let the guys coach and hash things out.”

Under Strickland, there was an attempt to diversify the offense with quarterback DeEdward Burris taking more snaps under center, instead of operating exclusively out of the shotgun. Jones said that’s still the plan but that decision will be evaluated during the preseason scrimmages.

As a longtime assistant, Jones said he still feels most comfortable by coaching a position or unit. So, he’ll likely serve as the special teams coach.

“I’ve got to coach,” he said.

After a 10-4 finish last season, including a loss to eventual state champion Dorman in the Upperstate championship, the expectations will be off the charts for the 2010 season. But Jones is comfortable with the lofty goals.

“The kids are aware of everything,” he said.

But Jones adds, despite the likely high ranking, the Indians remain a roster filled with talented, but inexperienced players.

“As far as a team, we started five sophomores and two ninth-graders last year,” he said.

Gaffney opens the season on Friday, Aug. 20 against Boiling Springs before returning home the following Friday to host the champion Cavaliers.