A New Coach on the Court

Charles Aicher 
Staff Writer
  The 2024-2025 school year is underway, and the boys' basketball team is starting their new season under a new head coach. Mr. Cortland Hengel, one of the new history teachers at Bonneville High School, is the new head coach for the boys' basketball team. 
  Hengel grew up in Idaho and played a variety of sports growing up. Until he reached high school, he played basketball for his amusement. Hengels' inspiration to coach stems from his grandfather, who was a coach and principal. Hengel states that his grandfather is “one of the biggest center pieces of [his] life.” Hengel says that he chose to be a coach because “there's competition, and it's a lot of fun. I love coaching more than I love playing. I love seeing kids improve on their skills. It is awesome to see as a coach.” Before a game, Hengel tries to remind his athletes that there are some days where you're nervous because you never know what's going to happen.” Hengel’s goal is to win the state championship, so trying to improve every day is important. However, he believes he can make it as amusing as possible for the athletes. Hengel’s style of coaching is “commander style and cooperating style,” which means he likes to guide the team while assisting them along the way.    
  Since his grandfather is from San Antonio, Hengel enjoys watching the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. Hengel's grandfather was a huge piece in his life for many reasons. While Hengel's father was deployed to Iraq for three years, his grandfather took care of Hengel, his mom, and his sister. During Hengel's childhood, his grandfather made it a goal to take him to games, field trips, golfing, and more. Hengel's grandfather began his coaching career and teaching at Sandpoint High School in Sandpoint, Idaho in 1954. Taught and coached for decades around Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, and Moscow before moving down to Meridian. Hengel's grandfather was always patient and would give him advice when he was struggling, even when Hengel first started coaching. Hengel’s grandfather always wanted to make the games he could, whether Hengel was playing or coaching. In the month of June, Hengel moved to Idaho Falls to begin coaching and teaching. In the same month, his grandfather passed away at the age of 96. Hengel says that “it meant a lot to me to be following in his footsteps and to be lucky enough for this opportunity to be here at Bonneville.”