Niles Mercer wanted to get back inside a wrestling room.

An All-American wrestler at Coe College, his job kept him from getting involved initially, then he switched to day shifts, and got involved with the Mount Vernon Wrestling Club.

From there, he joined the high school coaching staff three years ago.

And now, he’s the new head coach at Mount Vernon.

“I loved wrestling in high school and college,” Mercer said. “I wanted to get more involved, I had my certification, and they welcomed me in.”

Mercer takes over for Vance Light, who stepped down this spring after 33 seasons.

“He’s done a really good job of helping us out,” Light said. “I think he’ll do well.”

Mercer, who went to high school at Van Meter, moved to Mount Vernon with his wife shortly after leaving college, and put down roots.

“I’m very excited,” Mercer said. “Obviously, Vance has been (coaching) there since 1992, or something crazy, but I have been in the room the last few years, so I’m ready to pick up where we left off.”

He knew once Light made his announcement, he would try for the job.

“It was definitely a surprise when he did that,” Mercer said. “I knew Vance wasn’t going to coach forever… but it sure seemed that way. When the opportunity arose, I didn’t think twice about it.”

Light remembered Mercer from his high school days, and figured out one of his former wrestlers almost had to go head-to-head with Mercer at the state tournament.

“We had a good kid at his weight,” Light said. “Our guy got fifth, he got fourth. They almost ended up wrestling each other, 20-some years ago.”

Mercer is young enough to roll around on the mats with ease, and worked the last few seasons with Jase Jaspers and Mikey Ryan, who won gold and silver at state.

“He’s got good positioning and technique, and is always looking for different ideas,” Light said. “He helped Mikey and Jase out quite a bit. Beat up his body for them. I was getting too old.”

Mercer said he’ll keep the assistant coaches, and add to the staff if he can find a few volunteers. The Mustangs usually have a crowded room, most years.

“The coaches are stretched thin with 45 or 46 kids in the room,” Mercer said. “You try to get everybody what they need.”

Mercer said he would not be surprised to get a little help from Light, as well.

“He might get lost on his way home from work, and find himself in the wrestling room,” Mercer said.