Coaches
Coach Wesley Padilla began his basketball coaching career as a manager for the University of Wyoming Men’s Basketball Team during their Mountain West Championship run in the 2014–2015 season. A 2010 Rock Springs High School graduate, Padilla returned home to serve as the Head Boys’ Freshman Coach and Varsity Assistant at Rock Springs High School during the 2016–2017 season, helping the team earn a runner-up finish at the 4A State Tournament. The following year, he began his teaching career at Mount Ogden Junior High in Utah, where he also took over as the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach. After just one season, Padilla was hired as the Head Girls’ Basketball Coach at Ogden High School. In only his third year leading the program, he guided the team to its first playoff win in two decades. In 2021–2022, Padilla pursued a new opportunity as a Volunteer Assistant Coach at New Mexico State University, gaining valuable experience at the Division I level. After several years in Utah and Texas, he decided to return home to Wyoming to continue building his coaching career. Padilla earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wyoming (2016) and his Master’s Degree from Ball State University (2018). A multi-sport athlete, he competed in football, basketball, baseball, and boxing—where he was a Junior Olympic National Champion and a member of Team USA for the World Cadet Tournament. Now leading the Western Wyoming Lady Mustangs, Coach Padilla is dedicated to developing strong, disciplined, and confident student-athletes both on and off the court. The program is coming off its best season since 2016, recording a 20+ win campaign and setting the foundation for continued success. With a tight-knit, hard-working group, the Lady Mustangs have high hopes for this season. Family is at the heart of everything Coach Padilla does. He is married to his wife, Krysta, a dedicated Nurse Anesthesiologist who has supported every step of his coaching journey. Together, they are raising two beautiful daughters, Lilac and Lovetta Padilla, who bring endless joy and perspective to their lives. The Padilla family loves being part of the Western Wyoming community and takes pride in the family atmosphere that surrounds the Lady Mustangs program. Come cheer us on — we have something special here at Western!
Coach Elijah Archuleta is in his second year as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at Western. Elijah has been heavily involved in Mustang athletics over the past few years. Elijah started as a student manager for the men’s basketball team at Western Wyoming in 2019. During this time, Coach Archuleta was able to learn from coaches Steven Soza and Kameron Pearce and be a part of the 2020 Region 9 championship team. After this, Elijah became a graduate assistant for Coach Padilla and the women's basketball team. During this time, Coach Archuleta helped the Mustangs reach the Region 9 championship game in the 22-23 season and finish 2nd overall in the region in the 23-24 season. Coach Archuleta was promoted to the assistant women's basketball coach after the 23-24 season. In the 24-25 season, Coach Archuleta helped lead the Mustangs to a 24-9 season, a 2nd place region finish, and an appearance in the Region 9 tournament championship game. He has helped produce one All-American player, 8 all-region players, 13 graduated sophomores, and helped 9 players move on to the 4-year level to continue their basketball careers. Elijah graduated from Western Wyoming in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management. He was one of the first graduates of Western’s bachelor's program. Elijah has his master's degree in Business Administration from Western Governors University. Coach Archuleta's main duties include recruiting, game planning, individual workouts, and monitoring academics.