Coach Paul Nelson (third from left in the current picture) coached the Thatcher Eagles from 1974 to 1992. He had an overall record of 425-104. Coach Nelson's teams earned 9 State Championships and 5 State Runners-Up. Coach Nelson was the Arizona Republic Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1986. He was the Arizona Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1981, 1983, and 1991. Coach Nelson's Girls' Tennis teams also won 7 State Titles and 1 Runner-Up. Coach Nelson has also been inducted into the Thatcher High School Sports Hall of Fame.