CORTEZ – The number of people influenced by Montezuma‑Cortez boys basketball coach Mike Hall far exceeds the signatures on the celebratory basketball he received from his players after earning his 100th career victory earlier this season.
A look at the coaching tree that has grown during Hall’s tenure shows how he is viewed by former players and coaching proteges as a leader both on and off the court.
“He’s continued to grow the culture of the program,” said assistant coach and former player Teagan Whiteskunk. “We’re in a whole different place than when I played six years ago.”
Whiteskunk, M‑CHS Class of 2020, is one of two former Panthers now on Hall’s staff, joining Class of 2019 graduate Cordell Baer. Both played key roles during Hall’s successful 2018‑19 campaign and witnessed the program’s methodical rise, built around developing a young core into a legitimate state tournament contender.
“I’ve always been dedicated to basketball, and it’s something that I’ve wanted to share with the community,” Whiteskunk said of his decision to start coaching. “And I saw how much Mike dedicated himself to this program, so it made it easy to want to follow him.”
The Panthers’ win total continues to climb as they enjoy one of their best seasons since their 2018‑19 state quarterfinal appearance and 2002 state title run.
Hall reached the 100‑win milestone with a 58‑34 road victory at Rehoboth Christian in December, one of six out‑of‑state wins this season.
Baer, now leading the freshman team in his coaching debut, said Hall’s connection with his players set him apart. “The players view him as a coach, but they also see him as a friend,” Baer said. “The kids want to work hard for him, because he’s an advocate who wants all of his kids to succeed.”
Even during challenging seasons, Baer said Hall’s steadiness never wavered. “Mike’s been consistent, and his coaching style hasn’t changed since the time I was playing.”
Whiteskunk added: “He always reminds his players that ‘practice is where it starts.’ Since he has Cordell and I on the coaching staff and we’ve been through the process, it helps our boys believe in what we’re doing.”
Now in his fifth season as an assistant, Whiteskunk oversees the junior varsity program, stepping into a role previously held by M.E. Haley, who took over the M‑CHS girls team this past offseason. Haley now coaches Hall’s daughter, Raya, and a promising young Panthers group. She said the lessons she learned working alongside Hall translated naturally into her new job.
“I learned a lot about his expectations, and helping the kids learn what they can control, whether it be attitude or effort, and then everything else follows,” Haley said.
Hall took over the boys program in 2014, when the Panthers still played in the 5A/4A Southwestern League, before moving to Class 3A and joining the Intermountain League two years later. “He’s had to make a lot of adaptations, seeing what works with different groups,” Haley said. “And his leadership through all of those changes has been huge.”
Although Hall is not a classroom teacher, he remains deeply involved in the lives of his athletes by contributing heavily to youth basketball development and summer camps. “Mike’s personality is ‘I’m here to help, no matter what’ … and he legitimately cares for his kids, and it shows,” Haley said.
After last year’s league runner‑up finish, the Panthers again appear poised for a strong postseason push. Hall is not focused on milestone wins, but with the team’s one‑game‑at‑a‑time mentality and rapid progress, another 100 victories may not be far out of reach.
