From the classrooms of Sand Springs High School to the football fields of Dearborn, Michigan, Charles Jestice’s life has been a story of achievement, dedication, and inspiration. His remarkable coaching career and his ability to motivate and uplift his players have left an indelible mark on the community and the sport.
Charles Jestice graduated from Sand Springs High School in 1953. He earned a scholarship to Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana, where he obtained a degree in mathematics and earned all-conference lineman status.
Mr. Jestice spent 30 years coaching in Michigan, with 20 of those years as head coach of Fordson High School in Dearborn, a historic high school in a district of about 17,000 students. During his tenure, he was named AP Coach of the Year nine times and achieved an impressive overall record of 161-31, making him Fordson’s all-time winningest coach. In recognition of his contributions, Fordson recently named its new football stadium in his honor.
Charles is known for his wonderful sense of humor and his exceptional ability to motivate his players beyond their talents, earning him a revered place in the hearts of his students and the broader community.