Gilbert Padilla finished an outstanding career at Morenci High School as the head wrestling coach in 2006. His Wildcats were 5 time Class 3A State Wrestling Champions in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2005. They were the State Runners-Up in 1998, and third at the state meet in 2004. Coach Padilla has been inducted into the Arizona Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Padilla was the National Coach of the Year twice (1996 and 2000), and the ACA Wrestling Coach of the Year 5 times (1999, 2001, 2003, 2005). Padilla was the head coach of the ACA All Star Wrestling Matches twice, and assistant twice, and a clinic speaker once. Mr. Padilla spent 26 years of his life coaching his Wildcats.