Hester returns to lead Glades Central

After six seasons away from the program, Jessie Hester is returning to Glades Central.

On Friday, the school hired Hester as its new head football coach, bringing him back for a second stint, according to multiple sources. Hester previously served as the Raiders’ coach from 2008-10, when he led the team to a 36-4 record.

Hester takes over for Rick Casko, who stepped down on Nov. 15 after three seasons in his second go-round with the Raiders, having previously coached the team from 1991-94. Glades Central went 24-11 over the past three seasons and is coming off a 6-5 fall with an appearance in the Class 4A regional semifinals.

A Belle Glade native and Glades Central alum, Hester played college football at Florida State and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts before taking up coaching.

However remarkable Glades Central’s record under Hester, it failed to capture a state title during his first tenure. Owners of six Florida championships, the last from 2006, the Raiders fell to Cocoa in 2009 and again in 2010 after reaching the title game. Glades Central fired Hester less than a week after the second straight state final loss.

Hester coached Suncoast for one year, then was named Lake Worth’s athletic director in 2012. He took over as football coach the following year and led the Trojans to 15-17 during his three years there.

Lake Worth dismissed Hester last January after he was arrested for alleged domestic assault on Jan 2, 2016. The state prosecutor later declined to pursue charges.