Caleb Padilla was hired to Aaron Best's staff in February of 2025.
Caleb will lead the linebacker group for the Eagles following a one-year stint at the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive assistant. At Pitt, Caleb helped scout opponents quarterbacks and wide receivers, along with assisting in organizing team practices. In the 2024 season, Pitt had its first 7-0 start since 1982 and ranked 13th in the nation in rush defense.
Prior to working at Pitt, Caleb spent two seasons (2022-23) at Lenoir-Rhyne University (DII) in Hickory, N.C. Caleb served as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, helping install a new tackle system. In the 2023 season, Leonir-Rhyne finished as the best scoring defense in program history since 1974. The Bears advanced to the DII National semi finals that season. With Caleb's guidance, Lenoir-Rhyne's rush defense improved from 3.5 yards per carry to 2.8 yards per carry between the '21 and '23 seasons. Caleb coached three All-Conference selections at linebacker, including Jon Ross Maye who was named first team All-Region and second team All-American.
Caleb jumped to the division II ranks after being the head coach at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa (2018-21). He started at Luther as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2015, then promoted to head coach in the '18 season.
With an extensive career in college football, Caleb also had stops at Notre Dame College (2013-15), Albion College (2011-2013) and Colorado School of Mines (2008-10). In his three stops, Caleb worked as a linebacker ,defensive back and defensive end coach.
Caleb played at Winona State University (DII) in Winona, Minn. from 2001 to 2005. During Caleb's playing career, Winona State won four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles and appeared in the division II playoffs in three seasons. He graduated from Winona State ub '05 with his bachelor's of arts degree in health and human performance.
