John Nestor
2024 Varsity Head Coach & Defensive Backs
![John Nestor](https://cdn.backfieldsports.com/staff/5c201e32-62db-4647-b395-4b6b94576a2f.jpg)
John is a 1995 Marist High School (Chicago) graduate where he was an ESCC All-Conference Selection, All-Area Selection, All-State Performer, Defensive Player of the Year, and four-year letter winner.
After being recruited by current Denver Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton, he accepted an offer to play safety at Miami University in Oxford, OH. At Miami, John was a defensive back, letter winner, and special teams contributor for the Redskins.
His coaching career started in 2001 at Lincoln-Way East High School, coaching the defensive backs and as the Assistant Special Teams Coordinator. He helped the team to a 9-0 undefeated record and conference championship.
He was the Defensive Coordinator/DB Coach at Benet Academy High School for five years helping the team reach the 7A Final Four in back-to-back years and a top-ten defense causing 68 turnovers in consecutive years.
John has had college stops at the University of Wisconsin as a volunteer assistant, the University of Alabama as a camp coach, and the University of St. Francis as a defensive backs coach (season postponed due to COIVD-19).
He made a return to Lincoln-Way East High School coaching defensive backs and special teams, helping the team to an undefeated 14-0 season, conference championship, and the Class 8A state championship. The team wound up ranked #1 in the State of Illinois, #4 in the Midwest, and the #24 ranked team in the country. John also helped develop several Division 1 prospects including Under Armour All-American AJ Henning who signed with the University of Michigan and now plays with the Northwestern Wildcats.
John moved on to Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago where he held several posts including Freshman Defensive Coordinator and helping his team to a 9-0 undefeated record, conference championship, and giving up a record 13 points all season. He then moved to coaching defensive backs on the Varsity, helping the team to back-to-back state championships and a top 40 ranking nationally in those respective years.
John has helped over 105 student athletes play college football, 47 play Division 1, and has helped 13 players get drafted to the NFL.
He and his wife Rachele have been married 22 years and have four children. Kailey is studying nursing at the University of Alabama; John is on scholarship and plays defensive back at the University of Iowa (#7) and is studying Kinesiology; Jackson is a freshman football/basketball player and attends West Branch High School; Griffen is a 7th grade football/basketball player and attends West Branch Middle School.
John holds a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and works in the Financial Services Industry.
Favorite player growing up: Ronnie Lott
Favorite NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
Favorite college team growing up: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Favorite Quote: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."