A press release from West Branch High School

WEST BRANCH, IOWA — An experienced leader at the high school and college levels will serve as the next head coach of the West Branch High School varsity football team.

Over the course of his career, Nestor has built a reputation for his energetic leadership, passion, and professionalism when guiding student-athletes on and off the football field. He has a proven track record of leading football programs across the country, emphasizing winning cultures and mindsets. 

“We are extremely excited to have Coach Nestor joining the West Branch Athletic Department to lead our football program,” said Jake Stenberg, Athletic Director for West Branch Community School District. “His resume and qualifications speak for themselves. He is going to invest in our kids and community while building on our tradition of football excellence.”

Nestor will take over a program led for the past 40 years by Butch Pedersen, who passed away in April at the age of 73. Over four decades, Pedersen amassed a career record of 338-84 and captured three state championships.

Assistant coaches collectively guided the 2023 varsity season in Pedersen’s absence. The Bears won a share of the Class 1A District 5 title, finishing 6-4 and advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. 

Prior to joining WBHS, Nestor was a varsity assistant and safeties coach at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, where he helped lead the program to back-to-back state championships. The team’s defense gave up an average of 13.7 points per game in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

Previously, Nestor served as defensive backs coach and assistant special teams coach at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. He was also a staff assistant with the University of Wisconsin football program and served as a volunteer camp coach with the University of Alabama.

Nestor holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Liberty University and an associate degree in business from Miami University of Ohio, where he played defensive back. He was also Defensive Player of the Year and a four-year letterwinner at Marist High School in Chicago.

WBHS competes in Class 1A and plays its home games at Butch Pedersen Field, also known as the Little Rose Bowl. The Bears have qualified for the state playoffs 31 times—including each of the last 16 years—and have won 21 district titles since 1992.