The University had only one softball coach in the dugout during the program's first 32 years in existence, but it didn't take long for Brandeis to find coach No. 2. Barely a month after firing coach Mary Sullivan, the Department of Athletics hired Jessica Johnson last Wednesday, Director of Athletics Sheryl Sousa said.

"I'm really honored and excited to be here," Johnson told the Justice.

"I think the sky is the limit for this team and I'm really looking forward to what I can do during my tenure."

Several players said last month that Sullivan's firing came in the wake of complaints they lodged with Sousa, and Sullivan harshly criticized her termination and the way the situation was handled.

A two-time All-American in softball and a 1998 graduate of Wheaton College, Johnson last worked at Mount Ida College in Newton, where she was the Mustangs' head coach, leading the program to its two best seasons in as many years.

"[Johnson] has strong background in softball," captain Christina McWilliams '07 said. "She's capable, she seems talented. There is no doubt in my mind she will do a fantastic job."

Johnson takes the helm for the Judges following a 20-24 season, which included a 2-6 University Athletic Association record and a 9-2 late-season run.

Sousa said she hopes Johnson will eventually spark positive change for the program, which has wallowed in mediocrity for years.

"When any head coach comes to a new team, it takes some time to make it their own," Sousa said.

"It will take her a couple of recruiting cycles for her to play the system that she wants, but I would suspect we will see an immediate impact and we will probably do pretty well this year."

Johnson said she expects improvement, but stressed that it will take time.

"It's definitely a learning process on both ends," Johnson said.

"I am very straightforward with what I expect and with my philosophies, and I think the team will adapt very quickly."

Players agreed, adding that Johnson's entrance has already had a positive impact on the Judges.

"The only change will be for the better," leftfielder Marissa Rubin '07 said.

"[Johnson] has so much experience, she really knows how to run a team and make things fun. She wants to do well and go far. The whole team has already come together to help her out."

One of Johnson's biggest hurdles might prove to be turning around the Judges' dismal performance in recent UAA play. Conference opponents are generally the toughest teams the Judges face over the course of the season, and in the past, the team has limped into the season after being pummeled in its early conference play in Florida.

"The biggest challenge in the conference is that conference play is in the beginning of the season," Johnson said.

"But we will prepare for them and we will do a lot of scouting and we are going to give them a game when we are down in Florida."

Overall, players seemed elated to just have a new coach.

"We've worked well together over the last couple of weeks, but lacking a coach takes a lot out of a sport," McWilliams said of recent weeks without Sullivan.

This article was first posted on the Justice Web site last Tuesday.