By J.T. Keith
El Rito Media Sports Editor
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Artesia boys’ basketball coach Michael Mondragon’s energy and intensity are infectious. During a timeout in the March 15  state championship game against the Highland Hornets, Mondragon sprang off the bench to greet his players with low fives and handshakes.

With Artesia’s 55-48 win over Highland, Mondragon became the first Bulldogs basketball coach since Bubba Jennings to win the coveted Blue Trophy. What might be unknown to many Bulldogs fans is that last season Mondragon quietly became the winningest coach in Bulldogs history with 191 victories. The previous record of 161 wins was held by former coach Jim Wilburn.

Artesia’s all-time wins leader

Mondragon’s record at Artesia stands at 191-125 over 11 years. Add that to his four-years at Moriarty High School, and Mondragon has an overall record of 229-163 in 15 years as a head coach.

“Winning the first boys’ state basketball championship since 1997 and third in school history is an amazing accomplishment,” said Artesia athletic director Brian Taylor. “I would like to congratulate Coach Mondragon, his staff, and the team for their hard work and dedication.”

Mondragon succeeded Bulldogs coach Ike Montoya, who coached from 2005 to 2014.

Mondragon’s record-breaking win came in the March 1, 2024, district championship game, a decisive 71-30 home victory against Lovington at the Bulldog Pit.

“I don’t think anyone knew,” Mondragon reflected. “One of my managers approached me this year and said, ‘I think you have the most wins in Artesia history.’ I didn’t even think about it. It is cool, and it is pretty neat. This is where I am from and where I have played. It is special. I take a lot of pride in being a Bulldog.”

Coaching is a family business.

For Mondragon, coaching is the family business. He graduated in 2002 from Artesia, where he was a first-team, all-state guard in basketball during his junior and senior years. He also was an all-state defensive back in football and contributed to the Bulldogs’ 2001 state championship.

He credits his success to his family’s coaching legacy. His father, Billy Mondragon, was Artesia’s head girls’ basketball coach with over 300 wins. His aunt, Janet Mondragon, coached at multiple schools, and another aunt, Linda Ortiz, won five cheer championships.

The milestone of breaking the all-time wins record, Mondragon said, wouldn’t have been possible without mentors: his father; coaches Paul Kirkwood, Bubba Jennings and Joe Carpenter; and former Moriarty athletic director Joe Butler. He also thanked retired athletic director Cooper Henderson for bringing him aboard at Artesia and his brothers, Patrick and Bryan Mondragon.

Finding purpose after not playing

Mondragon earned a scholarship to play basketball at Eastern New Mexico University and his team won the conference title in his first year. He played from 2002 to 2004 before stepping away from the game. Realizing he missed it, he began coaching and teaching. At ENMU, he assisted former Portales High School coach Brenda Gomez, coaching girls’ practices.

After graduating, he returned to Artesia to teach and served as an assistant coach from 2007 to 2010 before taking the head coaching job at Moriarty. Despite a rocky start with a 2-25 record in his first year, Mondragon learned valuable lessons about perseverance and character through adversity.

Since taking the helm at Artesia, he has led the team to eight district championships. He has made two appearances in the state title game.

“Coach Mondragon emphasized the importance of working together to reach this goal,” Taylor said. “His investment in these players’ lives will have a lasting impact. I am truly proud of how they represented our school and community.”

Teaches life lessons to students

Mondragon teaches financial education to seniors at Artesia. He is passionate about sharing life lessons with his students before they enter the real world.

“I tell my students and athletes there are no secrets in life,” Mondragon said. “It is about discipline, hard work, and expecting to be successful in life.

Real success

Support at home is essential for any coach to be successful, according to Mondragon, and he credits his wife, Deserii, and their three children – Zaedyn, 11; Krislynn, 9; and Kylynn, 6 — for their unwavering support.

“Being the all-time winning coach here at Artesia is extraordinary,” Mondragon said. “I have a great staff and an excellent administration that supports you and allows you to do your job. I have had some exceptional players over the years.”

J.T. Keith can be reached at jtkeith@elritomedia.com.