Ernie Nestor

College coach infobox


Name = Ernie Nestor
Sport = Basketball
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DateOfBirth = birth date and age|1946|8|19
Birthplace = flagicon|United States Philippi, West Virginia
DateOfDeath =
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College = Elon
Title = Head coach
Awards =
Championships = CAA Tournament Championship (1989)
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Years =
Team = Alderson-Broaddus
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Coach = *
CoachYears = 1976–1979
1979–1985
1985–1988
1988–1993
1993–2001
2001–2003
2003–present
CoachTeams = James Madison (asst.)
Wake Forest (asst.)
California (asst.)
George Mason
Wake Forest (asst.)
South Carolina (asst.)
Elon
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Ernie Nestor (born October 19, 1946 in Philippi, West Virginia) is the head coach of the Elon University men's basketball team. Nestor was a long-time assistant at Wake Forest University, including an eight-year stint for head coach Dave Odom. Nestor has been in college coaching since 1976, a total of 31 years.

Nestor's total time at Wake Forest lasted 14 seasons over two separate terms (1979-1985, 1993-2001). He spent his last eight campaigns on the Demon Deacons’ staff under Odom, helping the team to postseason appearances in each of the eight years. During that period, Wake Forest captured the 1995 and 1996 ACC championships, advanced to the 1996 NCAA regional final and claimed the 2000 NIT championship. Nestor also served as the head coach of the 1996 U.S. Jones Cup Team in Taiwan.

From 1988 to 1993, Nestor was Head coach at George Mason University.

Nestor took the Patriots to their first ever NCAA Tournament game in 1989 as a 15 seed versus Indiana University. That squad claimed the Colonial Athletic Association title, finishing the year 20-11. The 1990 team also reached the 20-victory plateau. He resigned after five years and a 68-81 record at George Mason to join Odom on his staff at Wake Forest in 1994.

In 2008, Nestor lead the Elon Phoenix Men's basketball team on an improbable run through the Southern Conference Tournament becoming the lowest seed (7) to reach the finals since 1988. They lost to Davidson (20-0 in conference) in the final, ending the run for their first ever NCAA bid.