St. Francis' Gustavo Paz honored as 2025-26 Central Coast Section Winter Sports Honor Coach

Veteran wrestling coach recognized for his dedication, humility, and lifelong devotion to the sport

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Gustavo 'Gus' Paz, the wrestling coach at St. Francis High School, was honored as a 2025-26 Central Coast Section Winter Sports Honor Coach at the CCS Master Finals tournament. Paz has coached at four programs in Santa Cruz County since 1986 and is known for his generosity, humility, and lifelong commitment to the sport of wrestling.

Why it matters

The Central Coast Section Honor Coach award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their sport and positively impacted the lives of student-athletes. Paz's selection highlights his status as a foundational figure in CCS wrestling and his ability to inspire discipline, resilience, and honor in the athletes he has coached over the decades.

The details

Paz, a 2007 Watsonville High Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, was an individual state champion for the Wildcatz in 1982 and a state finalist at West Valley College in 1985. He has coached at four programs in Santa Cruz County since '86, including helping guide Pajaro Valley Youth (1986-96), Watsonville High (1997-2001), Moreland Notre Dame Junior High (2017-20), and the Sharks since 2018. Paz helped coach the Wildcatz to the CCS team title in 1999 and has produced 25 CCS individual champions.

  • Paz was honored as a 2025-26 Central Coast Section Winter Sports Honor Coach at the CCS Master Finals tournament on Saturday.

The players

Gustavo 'Gus' Paz

The wrestling coach at St. Francis High School, recognized as a 2025-26 Central Coast Section Winter Sports Honor Coach for his dedication, humility, and lifelong devotion to the sport of wrestling.

Gary Garcia

The Watsonville head coach from 1979-2014 and a 2015 California Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, who praised Paz as a role model whose coaching is rooted in service, responsibility, and lifting others up.

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What they’re saying

“Gus Paz is the definition of a role model — his coaching is rooted in service, responsibility, and lifting others up. Athletes describe him as supportive and dedicated, and fellow coaches value his humility and reliability. He inspires discipline, resilience, and honor while shaping countless athletes and programs. A foundational figure in CCS wrestling, Gus is known for his generosity, humility, and lifelong devotion to the sport.”

— Gary Garcia, Watsonville head coach from 1979-2014 and a 2015 California Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee (santacruzsentinel.com)

The takeaway

Gustavo Paz's recognition as a Central Coast Section Honor Coach underscores his lasting impact on the sport of wrestling in Santa Cruz County. Through his decades of coaching, he has inspired countless student-athletes to develop discipline, resilience, and a lifelong passion for the sport, cementing his legacy as a foundational figure in the local wrestling community.