The Jim Thorpe Area School District has hired Bryan Bednar as its new varsity boys basketball coach.

The school board, at its meeting Wednesday, voted 7-2 in favor of the hiring.

Bednar replaces Jason McElmoyle, who guided the Olympians program for the past nine years. McElmoyle compiled a record of 103-105, including a 10-12 mark this past season.

During his tenure, McElmoyle teams had five winning seasons, with the best being a 16-9 mark during the 2021-22 campaign. That year, Thorpe qualified for the league playoffs and reached the finals, where it fell to Pottsville.

The Olympians also reached the district playoffs six times under McElmoyle, advancing to the finals in 2017 after wins over Lehighton in the quarterfinal round and Salisbury in the semis.