Ernie Nestor
Encyclopedia
Ernie Nestor is an assistant Coach at the University of Missouri. Coach Frank Haith named Nestor to this post in April 2011. He was formerly the head coach of the Elon University
and George Mason men's basketball teams. Nestor was a long-time assistant at Wake Forest University
, including an eight-year stint for head coach Dave Odom
. He has also been on the coaching staffs of California, James Madison
, and South Carolina
during his career.
For 14 seasons (1979–1985, 1993–2001) Nestor served as a Wake Forest assistant; Odom was the head coach during his second of two stints. The Demon Deacons won two Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament titles (1995
and 1996
), and reached the final eight of the 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
in his time there. In addition, the team won the National Invitation Tournament
in 2000
. The United States' 1996 William Jones Cup
team was coached by Nestor.
From 1988 to 1993, Nestor was head coach at George Mason University
.
In 1989, George Mason gained an NCAA Tournament berth under Nestor by winning the Colonial Athletic Association
's postseason tournament; it was the first NCAA Tournament participation for the program. After losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
to Indiana
, the Patriots finished 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 before joining Odom on his staff at Wake Forest in 1993.
Nestor's 2008 Elon team, the seventh seed in the Southern Conference
postseason tournament, made it to the finals, where Davidson
defeated them.
Elon University
Elon University is a private liberal arts university in Elon, North Carolina, United States. Formerly known as Elon College, it became Elon University on June 1, 2001. The campus is a botanical garden and features oak trees, brick sidewalks, fountains, and lakes...
and George Mason men's basketball teams. Nestor was a long-time assistant at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, including an eight-year stint for head coach Dave Odom
Dave Odom
Dave Odom is a retired American men's college basketball coach, who most recently coached at the University of South Carolina...
. He has also been on the coaching staffs of California, James Madison
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
, and South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976...
during his career.
For 14 seasons (1979–1985, 1993–2001) Nestor served as a Wake Forest assistant; Odom was the head coach during his second of two stints. The Demon Deacons won two Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament titles (1995
1995 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1995 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum. Wake Forest won the tournament. They defeated North Carolina in the championship game...
and 1996
1995 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament
The 1995 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place in Greensboro, North Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum. Wake Forest won the tournament. They defeated North Carolina in the championship game...
), and reached the final eight of the 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena in...
in his time there. In addition, the team won the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
in 2000
2000 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Penn State 74, N.C. State 72...
. The United States' 1996 William Jones Cup
William Jones Cup
The R. William Jones Cup is an international basketball tournament held annually in Taipei, Taiwan. It was named after Renato William Jones, a basketball promoter and one of the founders of the International Basketball Federation .The Jones Cup tournament started in 1977 and is held annually...
team was coached by Nestor.
From 1988 to 1993, Nestor was head coach at George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
.
In 1989, George Mason gained an NCAA Tournament berth under Nestor by winning the Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
's postseason tournament; it was the first NCAA Tournament participation for the program. After losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament
1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1989 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 1989, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Seattle, Washington...
to Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
, the Patriots finished 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 before joining Odom on his staff at Wake Forest in 1993.
Nestor's 2008 Elon team, the seventh seed in the Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
postseason tournament, made it to the finals, where Davidson
Davidson Wildcats men's basketball
The Davidson Wildcats basketball team is the basketball team that represents Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, in the NCAA Division I. The school's team currently competes in the Southern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008. The...
defeated them.