Jack Gifford began the Brawley Union High School wrestling program in 1963 and led the team to California Interscholastic Federation – Southern Section state titles in 1969 and 1970.

He originally arrived in California in 1962 from Illinois where he had spent nine years teaching and coaching after lettering three years in wrestling and placing twice in the Big Ten tournament for Purdue University.

Gifford also coached at Beverly Hills High School from 1971 to 1987 compiling a career record of 235-70-3 before retiring.

He was inducted into the Brawley Union High School Hall of Fame in 2024.