Bryan Jones has been named head coach of the Xavier girls and boys cross country teams, Xavier athletics director Mike Winker announced Thursday.

Jones has been an assistant the last two seasons with the Xavier girls and boys track teams.  He is a Mount Mercy graduate and he participated in the Mustangs' track Program for four seasons.  He was a captain his junior and senior seasons.

Jones replaces Brian Ernst, who resigned as girls cross country coach, and Nathan Hopp, who resigned as boys cross country coach. Ernst had coached the girls team the past 14 years and led the Saints to 3A state championships in 2003 and 2006.

Hopp was the boys coach the last two seasons and led the Saints to the 2012 3A state meet.

Winker also announced that Kyle Mallie has been named as an assistant coach for both cross country teams. Mallie also will teach social studies at Xavier beginning this fall.