Matt Haddy takes over at Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON — Matt Haddy's previous two coaching jobs were rebuilding jobs.

Not this one.

Haddy will be the next girls' basketball coach at Mount Vernon High School, pending board approval. Athletics Director Matt Thede announced Haddy's hiring Wednesday afternoon.

'This is a program with a rich tradition that has been really successful recently,' Haddy said. 'Dennis (Roloff) did a fantastic job; if you get to state twice in four years, you're doing something right. You look at the landscape of girls athletics at Mount Vernon, and there are no down programs.'

Haddy, 34, has served as an assistant boys' coach at Mount Vernon the past two seasons. Before that, he was head boys' coach at Lisbon and Independence. He coached Lisbon to a state-tournament appearance in 2012.

'Both of those were rebuilding jobs,' Haddy said. 'I think we're set up for success here right away.'

Mount Vernon was 17-7 last season, finishing second in the Wamac Conference East Division. The Mustangs have reached the state tournament four times in the last eight years, winning a Class 2A championship in 2010.

Haddy serves as a defensive coordinator for the Mustangs' football program and is a sales representative for Kollege Town Sports.

'He's vital to our coaching staff here and does a tremendous job,' Thede said. 'He's very knowledgeable about basketball.'

Roloff announced his retirement last week; he had coached at Mount Vernon the previous five seasons, building an 82-39 record.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com