Coaches
Coach Art Castillo is entering his 16th season as the Head Coach for the Mustangs. 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 this season (2021,2023,2024). He has coached 7 National Champions, 72 All-Americans, including 17 two-time All-Americans. During his career, two wrestlers were named NJCAA Outstanding Wrestlers, Ken Astle (149lbs.) in 2018 and Cody Phelps (133lbs.) in 2024. Castillo has been voted the Region Coach of the Year six times. Castillo has led his team to seven 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 2020, Wrestling USA Magazine voted the Mustang recruiting class as the eighth best Non–Division-One class in the nation. 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.
Coach William Hodges is in his 7th year as a Mustang Assistant Coach under Coach Castillo. Coach Hodges was the head coach of the Western Wyoming Community College Spartan wrestling teams from 2002-2006. During that time, he led Western Wyoming Community College to a 4th place finish at Nationals in 2016. This team included three All-Americans and one National Champion (Cody Eardley) Hodges also recruited and coached Western Wyoming Community College’s first national champ, Mike Casperson, in 2005. Hodges is a longtime Green River native who taught history at Green River High School for over 30 years. In his 19-year coaching career Hodges led his teams to nine State Championships including 48 Individual State Champions. Hodges coached current head Coach Art Castillo and current Assistant Rick Yoak during their high school careers. Coach Hodges was a state champion for Green River High School and then wrestled at the University of Wyoming where he was a WAC champion. Coach Castillo says, “I am thrilled that Coach Hodges came back to Western. Hodges was my high school coach, freestyle/greco coach and gave me my first shot at coaching when he brought me on as an assistant. Hodges has done so much for me as a wrestler and professional and for so many in the community. Our athletes are lucky to have him as their coach and mentor. He makes a huge impact on our team with his wealth of knowledge and love for teaching and coaching.”
Rick Yoak, from Green River, Wyoming is back, this time as a Mustang! Coach Yoak was the head assistant under Coach Steve Christensen from 1999-2003, when they we were the Spartans. The former 2X Wyoming state champion, and NJCAA national runner-up, brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and character to the Mustang coaching staff and Coach Castillo is delighted to have Yoak around. "To have a guy like Rick Yoak want to be a part of your staff is huge for everybody involved. Rick is not only one of the toughest guys I can think of but also one of the classiest. I remember as a kid watching Yoak wrestle for the powerhouse Wolves, watching him compete helped build my love for the sport. I am honored to work with him and excited about the impact he will have with our student-athletes physically, emotionally and spiritually." Coach Yoak resides in Green River and has been married to his wife Shelley for over 25 years. They have two daughters, Megan and Madison.
Jake Flores is from Green River, Wyoming and he graduated from Green River High School. He earned his Associates in Science from Western Wyoming Community College, Bachelors in Science in Kinesiology and Public Health w/ a minor in Psychology from the University of Wyoming, Doctorate in Physical Therapy from South College. He is a 2x 4A Wyoming State Champ, and 4x 4A Wyoming State Placer. Jake enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, watching college football, golfing, and spending time with family and friends. What I look forward to as a coach: “As a coach I look forward to helping keep these incredible student athletes healthy, and peaking at the right time so they can perform their best on the biggest stage! I look forward to the opportunity to get these athletes bigger, stronger, and faster for optimal success on the mat and also helping them become great people in the community!”
Joey Revelli is from West Jordan, UT. He graduated from Copper Hills High School. After graduation he attended Western Wyoming where was an NJCAA All American as well earning NWCA Scholar All American honors. He earned an Associates Degree in Applied Science of Automotive Technology. In his free time Revelli likes to golf, wrestle and hangout with his wife, Haley and son Rosco. “I’m most excited to help mold young guys into successful men”
Tucker Tomlinson is from Vernal, Utah where was 3x State Placer and State Champion. After graduation, he attended Western Wyoming and wrestled for Coach Castillo. In 2020, Tucker won the NJCAA National Championship at 197lbs. Tucker earned his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in the spring of 2020. After graduation, he wrestled at the University of Wyoming. He finished his career at Ottawa University where he earned All-American honors and a received his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology. In his free time, Tucker likes to wrestle, lift weights, and spend time with his family and his wife, Chloe.