The Cloquet School Board had initially voted against hiring Jessica Youngren as the new head coach of the girls' basketball program, citing a desire for a different direction.
A New Era for the Lumberjacks
However, after a special meeting on June 12, two board members shifted their stance, and the vote swung in Youngren's favor, officially approving her appointment.
Youngren, who has spent eight seasons as an assistant under former coach Heather Young, brings a deep reservoir of playing and coaching experience, including a state championship as a player and a stint at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
She also teaches eighth‑grade social studies at Cloquet, balancing classroom responsibilities with her new coaching duties.
The upcoming season will require the team to replace its two top scorers, Nattie Butler and Lauren Hughes, but Youngren says the program's strong culture and traditions provide a solid foundation.
Board chair LeAnn Butler had temporarily removed Youngren's name from the consent agenda to allow more discussion, while board members Melissa Juntunen and Gary Huard voiced initial reservations.
In the end, only Huard remained opposed, expressing concerns that the administration wanted change, while Nate Sandman, David Battaglia and Nichole Diver supported the hire.
Youngren acknowledges that stepping out of her comfort zone after years working closely with Heather Young is a challenge, but she is eager to face it and build on the team's recent Section 7AAA championship run.