Nate Sanderson vacates post as Mount Vernon girls’ basketball coach

MOUNT VERNON — A mere month ago, Nate Sanderson helped lead Mount Vernon High School to the zenith of a four-year girls’ basketball reclamation project.

Now, he’s out of coaching.

Sanderson confirmed to The Gazette on Tuesday he has vacated his position as head coach.

“(Monday), I informed the administration of my decision to step down,” he said in an email statement.

Reached by phone Tuesday morning, Sanderson said: “I don’t know if I want to add anything other than what’s in the statement.”

Sanderson is not a teacher.

Mount Vernon athletics director Matt Thede released a statement of his own Tuesday morning:

“The school district thanks Coach Sanderson for his time and contribution to the girls’ basketball program over the past four years and respects his decision to move in a different direction.”

Thede had no further comment.

Sanderson, 47, came to Mount Vernon in 2021 with the program in bad shape.

“Four years ago, we came to Mount Vernon as strangers in a new land,” Sanderson said. “When we arrived, we found a tight-knit community with a strong athletic culture and a basketball program on the verge of revival.

“Led by some exceptional student-athletes, the program ascended back into prominence behind the hard work and dedication of some of the finest young people I have ever been around.

“Through their effort and determination, they forged a path back to the state tournament, undeterred by the various obstacles they encountered along the way.

“It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve this program, and I am proud of all we have accomplished on and off the court. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with so many amazing athletes and coaches.”

Sanderson missed one game in January for what Thede called “an internal matter.”

The Mustangs were 1-20 in the season before Sanderson’s arrival. In his first season, they climbed to 12-11.

Then it was 16-8, then 22-4, then 26-1 and a Class 3A state championship.

Mount Vernon was Sanderson’s fourth stop. He posted a 75-24 mark there, and owns a 23-year career record of 274-219.

He won a pair of Class 1A championships at Springville, in 2016 and 2017.

From there, he coached at Linn-Mar for 2 1/2 seasons before resigning midway through the 2019-20 campaign.

He was an assistant at North Linn in 2020-21, then took over at Mount Vernon.

Asked whether he will coach again, Sanderson said: “Maybe someday. I don’t know if this is retirement.”

Mount Vernon will have one the state’s premier backcourt trios next year in senior twins Courtney and Taylor Franck, along with sophomore Savanna Wright.

Sanderson’s exit means three high-profile girls’ basketball programs in the area have coaching vacancies.

Tom Lilly announced in November he would retire at Cedar Rapids Xavier after the season, and the Saints went on to win the Class 4A state championship.

P.J. Sweeney, who guided Clear Creek Amana to the 4A title in 2024, also has stepped down.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com