How will new coach Justin Fischer build Mount Vernon? 'People first, football second'
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — Justin Fischer has been prepping for his new gig since January. That’s when he was announced as Mount Vernon’s new football coach.
He’s not in new surroundings or needing to move somewhere different. Fischer has been with the program for the past three seasons as defensive coordinator and with the school since 2017. He interviewed for the promotion after Luke Messmer resigned for a “combination of factors.”
Now he’s the leader of the Wildcats, who hope to build on last season’s 5-5 finish. Practices have started; game plans are being made. Year 1 of the Justin Fischer Era has begun. What would mark a successful first season?
“For me, success has two parts. First of it is giving the kids a great experience as a high school football player,” Fischer said. “The second thing would be it’s people first, football second.”
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That comes with focus on getting better at practice and playing with great effort. That’s easier said than done, Fischer said, but “if you can do that, you’re gonna be successful.”
Fischer knows success. He’s seen it and been part of it.
He was an all-state performer at South Spencer before lettering twice at the University of Indianapolis. His coaching career began at Riverton Parke before going to Columbus North. He then joined the staff at North Vermillion, where he was part of the 2014 Class A state title and a program that went 75-25 in his five seasons. In his three seasons with the Wildcats, they went 18-10 with eight regular-season wins in 2021.
“There’s accountability and you want to push them to be their best so you’ve got to be demanding, but they also have to know that you care about them as people,” Fischer said. “At the end of the day, this is high school football and it’s about giving the kids a great experience. First and foremost building good relationships with them, I think if you can do that, they’re more apt to give you more effort and play a little harder and buy in.”
Fischer steps into the role with an experienced team ready to buy in. Mount Vernon has 12 seniors this season compared to four a year ago. Quarterback Nicot Burnett returns as a four-year starter after an All-Pocket Athletic Conference selection, along with Jackson Clowers. Abe Thomas and Beau Baldwin will anchor the line with Kortez Stewart lining up in the backfield.
There’s a concern with offensive line depth, but should the men in the trenches stay healthy, there’s optimism at Memorial Field.
“We experienced the adversity last year all together,” Burnett said. “This summer has been working really hard to progress and get over those obstacles that we faced last year.”
Fischer's familiarity with the players and the program has made the transition easier. Relationships don’t need to be built; they already exist. The only change is the seat he’s sitting in, and the players are getting used to that.
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“I know I speak for a lot of the other seniors, we’re comfortable telling him how we feel about certain things,” Baldwin said. “He comes and looks to us for information on how the team feels about certain things, too, so that’s been really nice.”
Fischer pointed to the same phrase three times within a 10-minute conversation about his philosophy heading into Year 1. It’s how he’s operated since he got into coaching, no change coming with the seat at the head of the table.
“People first,” he said, “football second.”
Mount Vernon Wildcats
Last year: 5-5 (2-3 PAC Big School Division)
Head coach: Justin Fischer (first season)
Key players to watch
Nicot Burnett (QB, Sr.), Kortez Stewart (RB, OLB, Sr.), Jackson Clowers (WR, Sr.), Beau Baldwin (C, MLB, RB, Sr.), Brady Schickel (DE, WR, So.)
The Wildcats’ three biggest games
Aug. 18 vs. North Posey: A formidable test in his debut game, Fischer will lead Mount Vernon against a Vikings team that has won nine games in back-to-back seasons. This will give the Wildcats a stern test to open the season.
Sept. 22 at Boonville: Mount Vernon fell 32-20 to the Pioneers at home last season. Boonville returns several key players from the team that made a playoff run and upset then-unbeaten Reitz.
Oct. 6 vs. Gibson Southern: The Wildcats lost 35-7 to the Titans, who went unbeaten in conference play last season, in Fort Branch a year ago. This, like the others listed, will give Fischer a good litmus test of where his program stands against the league’s top teams.
Previously: North | Tecumseh | Jasper | Harrison | Boonville | Mater Dei | Heritage Hills | Bosse | North Posey | Southridge | Memorial | Reitz | Central
Up next: Gibson Southern
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA football: Mount Vernon Wildcats preview
