MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — Mt. Vernon High School Athletics announces that Head Boys Basketball Coach Doug Novsek has stepped down from his position. Robin Duncan has been named Interim Head Coach and will lead the Wildcat program moving forward, with formal approval by the MSD of Mt. Vernon School Board expected at its next meeting. Coach Novsek, who led the Wildcats during the 2025–2026 season, guided a senior-led team to a 13–11 overall record and a 7–5 mark in the Pocket Athletic Conference. Under his leadership, the Wildcats captured the Carmi-White County Tournament Championship and finished runner-up in the Switzerland County Holiday Tournament, before concluding the season with a hard-fought sectional matchup. In his resignation, Coach Novsek shared that he is only stepping down “because I have been afforded a chance to pursue an opportunity outside of coaching that I have desired to do for quite some time. I am extremely grateful… The support I received from all of you and the community of Mt. Vernon is something I will never forget… The Novsek family will be Wildcat fans for life.” “We are incredibly thankful for Coach Novsek’s leadership, professionalism, and the way he poured into our student-athletes this past season,” said Athletic Director Leigh Latshaw. “He embraced our program at a critical time and helped lay a strong foundation for what comes next. We wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.” From the beginning, the vision for the Mt. Vernon Boys Basketball program included a thoughtful, intentional transition plan—pairing Coach Novsek with Robin Duncan in a “1–2” approach designed to build continuity and long-term success. That vision now comes to life as Duncan steps into the head coaching role. Duncan has already made a significant impact within the program this past year, serving as JV coach and leading player development efforts across multiple levels. He organized additional skill sessions for freshmen, led JV practices, contributed to varsity scouting, and worked extensively one-on-one with players while helping strengthen connections with younger athletes in the Wildcat pipeline. A graduate of Evansville Harrison High School, Duncan went on to earn a Division I scholarship at the University of Vermont, where he was part of a championship-level program that made three NCAA Tournament appearances and captured multiple conference titles. Following his collegiate career, Duncan played professional basketball internationally, competing in Denmark and the Netherlands, where he developed a deep understanding of leadership, team culture, and player development at a high level. In addition to his playing experience, Duncan has a strong background in training and mentoring young athletes through camps, clinics, and his involvement with “Duncan Hoops,” a player development initiative focused on growing the next generation of basketball talent. “I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead this program,” said Duncan. “Mt. Vernon is a special community, and I’m committed to continuing to build something that connects all levels—from youth to varsity—while helping our players grow as athletes and as people.” “Robin represents exactly what we envisioned for the future of our program,” Latshaw added. “His passion for development, his ability to connect with student-athletes, and his vision for building a complete K–12 program make him the right leader at the right time. We are excited to support him as he continues to grow Wildcat Basketball.” Mt. Vernon Athletics looks forward to the continued growth of the program under Duncan’s leadership and remains committed to providing a positive, development-focused experience for all student-athletes.