Lake Worth selects athletic director Jesse Hester to coach football team

Monday, December 10, 2012
by Jeff Greer

After former coach Errick Lowe resigned, Lake Worth's administration wanted to hire a replacement with experience, preferably someone with a working knowledge of the school.

The best candidate was already on campus. Lake Worth added "football coach" to the title of athletic director Jessie Hester.

"I knew the kids," Hester said. "We knew it would be tough for a guy coming in and not knowing these kids. We also wanted to make sure we had guys with experience. Most of the applicants didn't have a whole lot of experience. We felt like I'd be the obvious choice to get this thing going in the right direction."

Hester, 49, starred as a wide receiver at Glades Central and Florida State before spending 11 seasons in the NFL. After two state final appearances and a 36-4 record in three years at Glades Central, he went 3-7 at Suncoast before spending last season as Lake Worth's AD.

Lowe, who went 51-59 in nine years, finished 1-9 in his final season. Hester said that record will improve as long as his players believe in the program.

"I don't want to coach for wins," Hester said. "I want to win kids. You do that and the football side takes care of itself."

Taylor wins award: Glades Day running back Kelvin Taylor won the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A Player of the Year award. He's now a Mr. Football finalist, along with the players of the year from each of the other seven Florida high school football classes. American Heritage running back Greg Bryant finished second in the 3A player of the year voting.

Shortridge commits to Louisville: Seminole Ridge defensive tackle Kyle Shortridge (6-feet-2, 280 pounds) verbally pledged to the Cardinals after decommitting from Purdue, which fired its coach in November. Shortridge chose Louisville over Iowa State, Michigan State, Nebraska and Purdue, though other schools were also involved.