NEW COACHING STAFF BOLSTERS JETHAWKS.

Byline: Bryan Winchell Special to the Daily News

The Lancaster JetHawks have an all-new coaching staff for 1997, and the three new coaches bring some impressive credentials from the professional baseball ranks.

At a press conference at Lancaster Municipal Stadium on Friday afternoon, 13-year major-league shortstop Rick Burelson and 16-year major-league pitcher Jim Slaton were introduced as manager and pitching coach, respectively, and Dana Williams, who spent eight years in the Boston Red Sox organization, was announced as the team's hitting coach.

The team also announced its 1997 schedule. The season will start at home April 3 against High Desert.

Burelson, who was a four-time All-Star and made a World Series appearance in 1975 for the Red Sox, comes to Lancaster after spending two seasons as the California Angels' third-base coach. This is his first managing position, and he replaces Dave Brundage, who was promoted to class-AA Memphis.

``(Managing) is something I've always wanted to pursue,'' said Burelson, 45. ``It was just a matter of timing. As manager, I get to call the shots, and that's something I've always been interested in.''

Burelson, who was nicknamed the ``Rooster'' for his fiery play, said he has mellowed some through the years, but fans can still expect to see his aggressive side.

``I can't expect everyone to play the way I did,'' Burelson said. ``But once you get between the white lines there are certain expectations that I think I can try to instill in some of these guys. You'll still see the feisty rooster out there at times.''

Slaton, who played with Burelson on the Angels from 1984 to 1985, attended Antelope Valley College in the late 1960s and went on to play on the 1977 All-Star team and earned a victory in the 1982 World Series for Milwaukee. He replaces Juan Eichelberger and says he is happy to be back home.

``I thought a long time ago there would someday be a stadium here in Lancaster and a chance for minor-league baseball,'' Slaton said. ``Obviously, they've done a fantastic job here. It's a great stadium.''

Williams was unable to make the trip from his home in Pittsburgh. He replaces Delwyn Young, and he briefly joined the Red Sox major-league club in 1989 before beginning his coaching career last year as a player-coach with the Sioux City Explorers.