Ernie Nestor Leaves Lasting Impact on College Basketball
1/26/2025 3:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Nestor became well-known as an elite basketball coach over five decades.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest University and the Winston-Salem community celebrates the life and impact of former men's basketball assistant coach, Ernie Nestor.
Nestor, a native of Philippi, West Virginia, was a long-time assistant at Wake Forest, including an eight-year stint (1993-01) for head coach Dave Odom and a six-year stint (1979-85) under head coach Carl Tacy. He returned to the Demon Deacons in October 2018 for his third tenure on the basketball staff when he was named special assistant to then-head coach Danny Manning.
The Philippi native received degrees at Alderson-Broaddus College and West Virginia University in 1968 and 1970 respectively before beginning an eight year coaching run at Ravenswood (WV) and John D. Bassett (VA) High Schools, preparing him for a remarkable career in the college ranks that would take him to the ACC, Big Ten, SEC and Pac 10 conferences.
Nestor had over 40 years of Division I coaching experience and had worked in every Power 5 conference over his career. He had 11 years of head coaching experience, leading George Mason from 1989-93 and Elon from 2004-09. He guided George Mason to the 1989 CAA championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance and was the 2006 Southern Conference Coach of the Year when he led Elon to the SoCon North Division title. In 1996 he also coached the USA's William Jones Cup squad in international competition.
In addition to his two stints as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, Nestor also served on the staffs at James Madison, California, South Carolina, Penn State, Missouri and Navy during his five-decade career. He also spent one season working in the NBA as an advance scout with the New Jersey Nets. Before rejoining the Demon Deacons in 2018, Nestor was an assistant coach at Navy for five seasons from 2013-17 before announcing his retirement following the 2016-17 season.
In 2014, Ernie Nestor was awarded a "Guardians of the Game" award for education by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
In Nestor's first tenure with the Demon Deacons, as an assistant coach on Carl Tacy's staff from 1980-85, the program played in three NCAA Tournaments, including a run to the 1984 Elite Eight, and made two NIT appearances. He returned to the program as an assistant coach on Dave Odom's staff for eight seasons from 1994-01, helping the Deacs reach five NCAA Tournaments, win two ACC Championships and win the 2000 NIT Championship. Among the players he coached while at Wake Forest were Wake Forest great Randolph Childress and College Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.
What They're Saying
Nestor, a native of Philippi, West Virginia, was a long-time assistant at Wake Forest, including an eight-year stint (1993-01) for head coach Dave Odom and a six-year stint (1979-85) under head coach Carl Tacy. He returned to the Demon Deacons in October 2018 for his third tenure on the basketball staff when he was named special assistant to then-head coach Danny Manning.
The Philippi native received degrees at Alderson-Broaddus College and West Virginia University in 1968 and 1970 respectively before beginning an eight year coaching run at Ravenswood (WV) and John D. Bassett (VA) High Schools, preparing him for a remarkable career in the college ranks that would take him to the ACC, Big Ten, SEC and Pac 10 conferences.
Nestor had over 40 years of Division I coaching experience and had worked in every Power 5 conference over his career. He had 11 years of head coaching experience, leading George Mason from 1989-93 and Elon from 2004-09. He guided George Mason to the 1989 CAA championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance and was the 2006 Southern Conference Coach of the Year when he led Elon to the SoCon North Division title. In 1996 he also coached the USA's William Jones Cup squad in international competition.
In addition to his two stints as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, Nestor also served on the staffs at James Madison, California, South Carolina, Penn State, Missouri and Navy during his five-decade career. He also spent one season working in the NBA as an advance scout with the New Jersey Nets. Before rejoining the Demon Deacons in 2018, Nestor was an assistant coach at Navy for five seasons from 2013-17 before announcing his retirement following the 2016-17 season.
In 2014, Ernie Nestor was awarded a "Guardians of the Game" award for education by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
In Nestor's first tenure with the Demon Deacons, as an assistant coach on Carl Tacy's staff from 1980-85, the program played in three NCAA Tournaments, including a run to the 1984 Elite Eight, and made two NIT appearances. He returned to the program as an assistant coach on Dave Odom's staff for eight seasons from 1994-01, helping the Deacs reach five NCAA Tournaments, win two ACC Championships and win the 2000 NIT Championship. Among the players he coached while at Wake Forest were Wake Forest great Randolph Childress and College Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.
What They're Saying
- Coach Dave Odom:
- "It's impossible to put into just a few words what Ernie was to me and what he was to Wake Forest. He was a special person, and a special coach at a time when Wake Forest really needed someone like him. He was special in every way. I've always felt that you come to know the true measure of a man when you have a chance to sit beside him on the bench in The Joel Coliseum with all the big names coming in. As a head coach you need someone right beside you that you can trust and is not afraid. He was that person for me. He was truly amazing. A special, special person and a special friend. When you try to summarize everything, the most important part is that Ernie loved his family, he loved his friends and he loved ball."
- Wake Forest Alum Randolph Childress:
- "We've lost not just a coach, but a great man who taught us more than basketball. Coach Nestor taught me discipline, resilience and the power of believing. His impact went far beyond the game, shaping who we are as people. I'll carry those lessons forever. I used to say Coach Nestor never had a bad day. He was always positive. He will be missed."
- Coach Steve Forbes:
- "I had the good fortune to sit and visit with Coach Nestor this past June at the Jay Bilas Coaching Academy. Ernie loved to talk basketball, and he loved helping younger coaches by sharing his vast knowledge and experience in a kind and thoughtful manner. During our conversation, it was very clear to me that he loved his time at Wake Forest. Johnetta and I extend our deepest thoughts and condolences to the Nestor family during their time of need."
- Former Director of Athletics Ron Wellman:
- "Ernie Nestor was the epitome of a teacher, mentor, and coach who cared deeply about the development of student-athletes both on and off the court. Over the decades we worked together, I saw firsthand Ernie's unwavering commitment to helping players grow as individuals while achieving success as a team. His love for his family, his passion for basketball, and his steadfast loyalty to Wake Forest made him a remarkable person and friend. Ernie's impact on this University, our basketball program, and college athletics will be felt for generations to come, and he will be greatly missed."
- Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
- "Ernie Nestor's legacy is one of integrity, excellence, and profound impact on the game of basketball and everyone fortunate enough to know him. Across five decades, Coach Nestor exemplified the values of hard work, mentorship, and teamwork, both at Wake Forest and throughout college basketball. His influence extended beyond the court, leaving an indelible mark on his players, colleagues, and the greater basketball community. We are deeply grateful for his many contributions to Wake Forest and celebrate his remarkable life and career. With that, our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and family members during this difficult time."
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