KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan head football coach Tim Lester has announced the hiring of former Bronco receiver Chris Chestnut as assistant football coach. Chestnut will work with WMU's tight ends.
"We're beyond excited to welcome Chris back home to Western," Lester said. "He brings a ton of experience working across offensive position groups and will be a tremendous leader for our tight ends. From a recruiting standpoint, our former players are our best asset. I'm thrilled to have another Bronco back in Kalamazoo to help showcase our program and school."
Chestnut echoed those sentiments.
"I'm excited to come back home to Western and be a Bronco again," Chestnut said. "I'm grateful to Coach Lester for giving me the opportunity to return to Kalamazoo and I am ready to get to work with this team. We've got a dynamic offense and a great tight end room that's anxious to improve every day. I can't wait to get back into Waldo Stadium for a gameday in front of our fans."
The Durham, North Carolina, native spent the past two seasons as receivers coach at Western Kentucky. He played receiver at Western Michigan from 2002-03 after starting his collegiate career at the College of the Canyons in California. Chestnut was a two-time letterman at WMU, serving as a team captain in 2003 and finishing with 30 catches for 412 yards in his two years in Kalamazoo.
While at WKU, Chestnut mentored a pair of receivers in Lucky Jackson and Jahcour Pearson who were one of just five duos in FBS to finish 2019 with at least 75 catches and 800 yards each. Jackson set a program record for receptions in a game with 17 catches in the First Responders Bowl against Western Michigan.
Prior to WKU, Chestnut spent three seasons at Tennessee State, including two as receivers coach. He mentored a pair of All-Ohio Valley selections, while also helping former University of Florida QB Treon Harris complete a transition to receiver.Â
Chestnut spent one season at Miami (Fla.) as an offensive assistant and interim tight ends coach. Prior to that, he spent two seasons as a high school coach in his native Durham, North Carolina, as well as stops at South Florida (graduate assistant), Campbell (running backs) and Ellsworth Community College (receivers).
After his collegiate playing career, Chestnut spent three seasons in the Arena Football League. He played for the New York Dragons, Las Vegas Gladiators and Georgia Wildcats and served as an assistant coach at Northern Durham (N.C.) High School during the offseason.
A 2008 Western Michigan graduate, Chestnut and his wife, Maria, have three children -- Jaylon, Carter and Christina.
| THE CHRIS CHESTNUT FILE
PERSONAL
Hometown:Â Durham, N.C.
College:Â Western Michigan (2008)
Wife:Â Maria
Children:Â Jaylon, Carter and Christina
PLAYING CAREER (Wide Receiver)
College:Â College of the Canyons (2000-01); Western Michigan (2002-03)
Professional:Â New York Dragons (AFL, 2004); Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL, 2004-05); Georgia Wildcats (AFL, 2006)
COACHING CAREER
2004-08:Â Northern Durham HS (Assistant Coach)
2009:Â Ellsworth Community College (Wide Receivers)
2010-11:Â Campbell (Running Backs)
2012:Â South Florida (Graduate Assistant)
2013-14:Â Northern Durham HS (Assistant Coach)
2015:Â Miami (Fla.) (Offensive Assistant/Tight Ends)
2016:Â Tennessee State (Offensive Quality Control)
2017-18:Â Tennessee State (Wide Receivers)
2019-2020:Â Western Kentucky (Wide Receivers)
2021-present: Western Michigan (Tight Ends)
