Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now
Read more Daxon: Time to ask questions, Breans
A military hero. A beloved high school football coach who strived to be inclusive. A father and husband.
Those are some of the ways El Modena is remembering Hall of Fame football coach Bob Lester, who died Sept. 16 at age 96 after struggling with dementia, his son Mike confirmed.
“It’s crazy how many of his players love him,” El Modena football coach Matt Mitchell said of Lester. “I hope my players love me like that. It’s impressive.”
El Modena will recognize Lester before its homecoming game Friday, Oct. 16, against Troy at Fred Kelly Stadium at 7 p.m.
The school is asking alumni who played for Lester to attend the game and stand at the 50-yard line before kickoff. Lester coached at El Modena from 1966-1985.
El Modena honored Lester with a tribute video, narrated by longtime game announcer Bob Ruddy, and a moment of silence before its home game against Trabuco Hills on Sept. 25.
Lester became El Modena’s first football coach in 1966 and built a powerhouse program over the next 20 years.
He guided the Vanguards to three CIF-SS championships, eight league titles and 12 playoff appearances. He was inducted into the CIF-SS Hall of Fame.
El Modena peaked with section titles in 1978, 1983 and 1984. The Vanguards were section runner-ups in 1980 and 1981 and semifinalists in 1979, 1982 and 1985.
“Bob Lester led one of the premier football programs in Orange County during the 1970s through the mid-1980s,” Orange County high school football historian and author Dennis Bateman said.
“In that era, El Modena was a championship contender just about every year coming out of the vaunted Century League, one of the toughest circuits in Southern California.”
Lester’s legendary run included a friendly rivalry with Villa Park and Foothill coach Ted Mullen, who once served as an assistant coach for Lester at El Modena.
Read more Anaheim Hills briefs: City’s Older Adult Program has party plans
As Lester compiled a record of 157-58-8 at El Modena, he built an enduring connection with his players, his son Mike said.
Lester, who lived in St. George in Utah at the time of his death, was often visited by former players in their travels to Utah.
“He would love it,” said Mike Lester, a standout player for his father.
Lester was born in Texas and served in the Marines during the Korean War. He was wounded and earned the Purple Heart.
Lester coached high school football in Colorado in the late 1950s before moving to California.
His teams at El Modena were known for their work ethic, playing physical and being well-coached.
Lester’s coaching staff included notable assistants such as Tom Shine, Dale Arambel, Glen Lukenbill, Bill Backstrom, Pete Parker, Bob Radford and Chuck Wood.
“Bob knew how to surround himself with good people,” said Alan Clinton, an assistant coach for Lester from 1980-1985. “He knew the right thing to say to the young men to make them believe in themselves, which led to success.”
Lester’s son Matt served as an equipment manager for the El Modena football team. No players were cut from the squads, Mike recalls.
Lester’s El Modena teams embraced colorful mottos such as “Quack Attack” and “Quack-a-Rama.”
Mike Lester remembers how his father lightened the mood at practices with skits by the players and plenty of side competitions.
“My dad always wanted to have fun at practice,” Mike Lester said. “He was a great man.”
Lester is survived by his sons Mike and Matt, and daughter Melissa. He was preceded in death by wives Jackie and Lynn.