CORVALLIS — Cory Hall eventually rattles off the names football fans know. But when detailing his biggest coaching influences, Hall begins with Dan Pokett.
A sixth-grade English teacher in Bakersfield, Calif., Pokett was the first coach Hall remembers offering encouragement that resonated. Pokett told a young Hall that he had talent. That he had the potential to "do big things."
So after a successful college and NFL playing career, Hall has climbed the ranks from high school head coach to college graduate assistant to position coach. Now he hopes to have a similar impact at Oregon State, where he was hired as the Beavers' new cornerbacks coach last month.