Coach: Nestos nears quarter-century with Jr. Titan football

I now fully understand why Glenview resident and parent Billy Nestos has had such success in his volunteer coaching stint with the Glenview Jr. Titan football program.

After talking to the longtime coach for a brief 20 minutes, he had me fired up. Not to write a story, but rather to strap on some football pads, put my 67-year-old body in a three-point stance and get ready to hit somebody! I even had this sudden urge to find a large grassy area and run some down-and-outs and fade patterns.

He was that convincing.

One thing was crystal clear, and then some: Nestos truly loves the game of football and enjoys teaching and working with the kids under his tutelage.

The 58-year-old is currently head coach for the Jr. Titan heavyweight team, but it has been a long and winding road to get to this spot.

It all started with a seemingly innocent Sunday afternoon backyard visit at then-program commissioner Tom Thurreson's house. (Tom is the creator of the Jr. Titan program from many years ago and still is involved as the official "Grandfather" of the program.)

Nestos describes the motivation for that meeting: "I had played football for Glenbrook South for four years and then four more years at Winona State up in Minnesota. While dating my current wife, I happened to see a note advertising that the program was looking for coaches, so I contacted Tom. I thought it would be a good way to give back to the community."

That was way back in 1998. Here it is 25 years later and, amazingly, Nestos is still coaching, so apparently that backyard conversation went pretty well.

He has coached at all levels for the program, as both assistant and head coach - fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade lightweights, and even a one-year stint with the brand new 4th grade program.

"They asked me to take on the fourth graders, which was the first time the program had offered football to kids that young," Nestos said. "I was little hesitant, but I ended up really enjoying it!"

Finally, three years ago, Nestos got to take over the marquee program with the Jr. Titans - the heavyweights.

"That was something I always wanted to do, and was really excited when I finally got the chance."

He turned that excitement into winning results. The Glenview team competes in The Chicagoland Youth Football League (TCYFL), and in his first two years Nestos and his coaching staff brought home two straight youth Super Bowl trophies. This year they will be going for a third.

I asked Nestos what has stood out most throughout his long stint of volunteer coaching.

"I would say first that I have worked with some great coaches and great kids. That has been a big part of it," Nestos said. "It also has to do with the philosophy of giving the kids the confidence to compete, putting them in the best position to win and, even more importantly, teaching them how to be good teammates and how to be sportsmanlike competitors. I take that part very seriously."

Current program president Alex Farrell speaks to Nestos' many attributes as a coach:

"I have had the opportunity to coach with and watch Billy in action over the last seven years, and he is the most positive and uplifting coach I have ever been around," said Farrell. "His dedication level to the kids and our program is second to none, and whatever team he coaches, he always molds them into contenders."

Besides his direct involvement with the youth program, Nestos has kept close ties and allegiance to the high school Titans program. He was a blue and gold footballer himself for four years under Bob Schoenwetter (1978-1982) and then defensive coordinator John Davis, whom the stadium is now named after.

In addition, he has had four boys play for the program - Andrew, Peter, John and Spiro - and another, namesake Billy Jr., who would have played except for a health issue. Billy ended up swimming and doing track and field instead. Daughter Melina was a pom and dancer for the Titans, and a captain her senior year.

Speaking of females, Nestos is quick to point out the real key to his longtime coaching commitment.

"Every year at our banquet I mention my wife, Elizabeth," he says with emphasis. "The commitment she has made to allow me to spend so much time coaching has been amazing. I give her all the credit in the world, and really appreciate her supporting me in doing something that I love so much."

Finally, in honor of his incredible commitment and dedication to the program, Nestos was surprised last year when Farrell announced that from now on the Jr. Titans will honor one coach each year with The Billy Nestos Coaching Trophy, given to the coach showing the most dedication and integrity.

"That was quite a surprise and quite an honor," said Nestos. "I really appreciated it, but my only concern was that they usually give you a trophy when you are ready to retire. I thought maybe they were trying to tell me something."

Not a chance of that happening.

25 years - and no doubt still many more to come for Coach Nestos.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.