A lifelong fixture in Hudson Valley Lacrosse, Jess McDonough brings more than 15 years of coaching experience to Yellow Jackets North, where she current serves as Head Coach of the program’s 2026 and 2031 teams. After competing for Mahopac High School, Coach McDonough moved on to Sacred Heart University, where she enjoyed a stellar playing career at the Division I level. After graduation, McDonough began her coaching career at Scarsdale High School as the freshman coach, before moving to Horace Greeley, where she served as the Assistant Varsity Coach. McDonough then returned to Mahopac High School, where she was the Assistant Varsity Coach, earning tremendous success as a defensive coach. She then took her skills to Briarcliff High School as Head Varsity Coach, where she has led the program to unprecedented success, leading the Bears to their first-ever section semifinal win, earning McDonough New York State Class D Coach of the Year in 2019. She then moved on to John Jay High School in Katonah as Head Varsity Coach, and has led the team to three sectional championships, a regional runner-up finish, a regional championship, and a trip to the New York State Championship Game. With her success at John Jay, McDonough has earned a slew of accolades, including 2021 New York State Class C Coach of the Year, 2022 Class B Coach of the Year, 2022 Lohud Coach of the Year, 2023 Conference II Coach of the Year, and 2023 USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year. Coach McDonough also worked as one of the Hudson Valley National Team Coaches from 2014-2018.