Art Castillo

Coach Art Castillo is entering his 16th season as the Head Coach for the Mustangs. In 2025 the Mustangs won their first ever National Duals Championship and finished third at the National Championships. In 2024 Castillo led his team to its second straight NJCAA National Title and 2023 marked the programs first ever National Championship and first in any sport for Western Wyoming. Coach Castillo was named the NJCAA National Coach of the year for the third time in the 2024 season (2021,2023,2024). He has coached 8 National Champions, 79 All-Americans, including 18 two-time All-Americans. During his career, two wrestlers were named the NJCAA Outstanding Wrestlers, Ken Astle (149lbs.) in 2018 and Cody Phelps (133lbs.) in 2024. Castillo has been named the Region Coach of the Year seven times and has led his team to eight straight Region IX / Plains District titles. Castillo was inducted into the NJCAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame with the class of 2022. In 2021, Castillo led the Mustangs to an NJCAA record 10 All-Americans and a Runner-up finish at the National Championships. In his time as a coach, Castillo has been instrumental in leading the Mustangs to three Academic National Championships (2005-2006, 2009-10, and 2019-20). Castillo is a Bronze Level Certified USA Wrestling coach and is the director of the Mustang Wrestling Club. He has also served as an MMA wrestling coach in the UFC and Bellator promotions as well as several smaller organizations. Castillo is a 1997 graduate of Green River High School where he was a two-time state placer and a team captain. He helped lead his team to three Wyoming 4A State Championships. In 2023, Castillo’s 1996 & 97 teams were inducted into the Green River High School Hall of Fame. Castillo attended Northwest College where he was a National Qualifier. After Northwest, Castillo transferred to Dana College and was a team captain. He was a two-time national qualifier there as well and a two-time GPAC champion. Castillo served as an assistant coach while finishing his undergraduate degree from Dana College. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education/Sports Management and a Master’s Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine. In his free time, he likes to golf, travel, and spend time with his wife, Jess.