Gilbert, Arizona (AZ Family) — A respected East Valley High School basketball coach was buried Saturday.
Those in the basketball world have long said this would be coach Mike Taylor's last season at Mesquite High School.
He recently accepted his dream head coaching job at another school. But the players never imagined that their final conversation would be a permanent farewell.
“Room of Love” is how those close to Coach Mike used to celebrate events in his life.
“I'm really proud to have met him and spent time with him,” said Kim Hansen, head athletic trainer at Mesquite High School.
“He was someone you could trust. He was selfless,” said Mesquite High School Basketball Booster Club treasurer Matt Roberts.
Roberts and Hansen joined dozens of others inside the school cafeteria Saturday afternoon. Everyone was there to share a meal and mourn a deep loss.
“He was very young and still had a lot of life left in him,” Hansen said.
The beloved freshman and JV basketball coach was killed in a car accident on his way home from a tournament in California. The incident happened early Monday morning on Interstate 10 near Dysart Road in Goodyear.
The news shocked the whole school.
“Nobody was okay. It was probably one of the most difficult moments,” Hansen said.
“I was just talking to Coach Mike on Thursday before I left for the tournament, so I was shocked,” Roberts said.
Coach Mike is remembered as a great leader with a contagious smile. He will be joining the coaching staff in 2021.
“As sad as I am, it's nothing compared to what his children are going through and what his family is going through. When I say that, I mean his players, because they were his kids,” Hansen said. “He cared about whether they were not only becoming better players, but better people.
Loved ones said the grief comes in waves. I still can't believe he really died, but the pain made me realize how fragile his life was.
“Have I told him enough about how much of an impact he has had on my life and the lives of my two sons?” I'm sorry I couldn't tell you,” Roberts said.
Plans are afoot to carry on Coach Mike's legacy, perhaps through a foundation.
If you would like to support his family, please click here.
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