Correction: This story was updated May 31 to reflect that Rachel Wenzel’s hiring was pending school board approval and to clarify the basis on which former coach John Yonich is leaving the program.

ABERDEEN — Former Grays Harbor College assistant coach Rachel Wenzel is expected to be hired as the new Aberdeen Bobcats girls head basketball coach, replacing John Yonich.

Wenzel’s hiring is pending school board approval.

“It’s a good fit for us,” Aberdeen athletic director Aaron Roiko said of the hire, adding he is “looking forward to working with her.”

Wenzel will also serve as an English teacher at the school, which Roiko stated will “facilitate better communication” as she will be on campus throughout the day.

The coaching contract for Yonich was not renewed. He was chosen to coach at the 11th hour last year when the season was nearing and the team was without a coach. The team finished the season 1-19.

“We were grateful for John stepping in, but we were looking for a more long-term solution,” Roiko said, adding the school’s administration was looking for a candidate that could potentially “coach the next 10 to 15 years.”

School Superintendent Alicia Henderson said she was grateful to Yonich for coming forward. “We were in a bind and he really stepped up.”

Wenzel, who was a standout player for Aberdeen during her prep career, said she has always wanted to coach at her alma mater.

“I’m a hometown girl and it has always been a dream to coach my former team,” she said. “I have a lot of Bobcat pride.”

Wenzel was the head coach of the girls basketball team at Ocosta High School from 2009-12. She was then the assistant basketball coach at Grays Harbor College from 2013-14.

During her playing days at Aberdeen she received multiple athletic honors, including being named The Daily World’s “Female Athlete of the Year” in 2003.