North Branch hires long time assistant as wrestling coach

NORTH BRANCH -- Jim Hoard has been hired as the head wrestling coach at North Branch Area High School. Hoard, a Grand Rapids native, wrestled throughout high school before attending Augsburg College in Minneapolis. While at Augsburg, Jim was a member of both the 1993 and 1995 National Champion team. Following college, Hoard became an assistant wrestling coach at Arlington High School in St. Paul before becoming an assistant coach at North Branch Area High School, where he has been coaching for the past eight years under former wrestling Coach Tony Aho. Jim was named Section 7AA Assistant Coach of the Year for the 2011-2012 season. “Jim is a tremendous hire for our program," said North Branch Area High School Activities Director, Brett Carlson. "He has the playing and coaching experience to move an already successful program forward." Hoard and his wife, Kara, live in North Branch with their two daughters, Savanah (11) and Sophie (9), who proudly attend North Branch Area Public Schools. “I am excited for the opportunity to serve a community and program that has become a huge part of my life," Hoard said about his appointment.