Born in Mexico and raised in Texas, Coach Portilla began playing football during his junior year in high school. After overhearing a coach say that he would never amount to anything, Coach Portilla took the personal challenge to prove his coach wrong, and became the first Mexican-born NFL player to ever play in the Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXIII with the Atlanta Falcons). Coach Portilla played college football for Ricks College and the University of Arizona, where he earned a degree in Visual Communications. Coach Portilla is an accomplished artist, and teaches art, weight training, PE, football, and basketball. He has instructed the offensive and defensive line at the Heritage Academy Football Camp since 2010, and has been on the football team’s coaching staff since 2012, helping to create a heritage of winning, with state championships in 2010-2016. Coach Portilla became the head coach in 2017, leading his team to their 9th state championship appearance in 2018. He was voted CAA Football Coach of the Year after leading his team to an undefeated season and state championship victory in 2019.