By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Until recently, about the only thing Iowa defensive back John Nestor knew about the storied West Branch football program is that his Hawkeye teammate Jeff Bowie used to be a member.

Nestor grew up in Chicago, so why would he have any reason to know about West Branch football?

He does now, however, as his father, John Nestor, was hired as the new head football coach at West Branch in January.

John Nestor the father faces the daunting task of trying to sustain the tradition of excellence that was established under former head coach Butch Pedersen, who passed away last April at the age of 73 after a battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of blood cancer.

Pedersen coached multiple sports at West Branch and he also served as athletics director for a time.

But football is where he built his legendary status. He had a 338-84 record in 40 seasons, winning state titles in 1989, 1991 and 1992.

His last team went undefeated during the regular season and finished 11-1, losing in the state semifinals in November. He was diagnosed with cancer in October, but still coached when he could while going through treatment.

“I didn’t really know much, but Jeff Bowie here, he’s a West Branch native and he kind of walked me through it,” the younger Nestor said Tuesday. “The head coach, Butch Pedersen, was there for 40 years I want to say.

“They’ve got a great tradition there and I’m just super excited my dad has been able to take over that, keeping that tradition, but making a new chapter for himself.”

The younger Nestor also likes having his parents just a short drive from the UI campus.

“It’s a huge opportunity for him. I’m super glad for him,” John Nestor said of his father. “I couldn’t be more excited for him and it’s pretty nice to have home cooked meals once or twice a week, 15 minutes down the road.”

In a January interview with the West Branch Times, the older Nestor talked about replacing a legend.

“There are two ways I could do this: one, feel like there’s a lot of pressure in filling his shoes. Or, two, know that it’s exciting, but I’m not going to be Butch Pedersen — there’s only one of him. That’s the approach I’m taking,” John Nestor said in a Jan. 4 interview with the Times. “It is an exciting opportunity. He was the best version of himself, and he did a remarkable job. But I’m going to be me. You can only be you and who you are.”

The younger Nestor was among eight members of the Iowa defense that met with the media on Tuesday to promote spring practice.

He played mostly on special teams last season and is listed as the backup at right cornerback behind graduate student Jermari Harris, another Chicago native.

Nestor has made a strong impression this spring, even drawing comparisons to former Iowa All-Big Ten cornerback Riley Moss, who now plays for the Denver Broncos.

Moss started 40 games during his five-year Hawkeye career.

“I’ve heard a lot of comparisons, like similar quickness and explosiveness out of the break and stuff like that,” John Nestor said. “It’s a huge honor to be compared to Riley Moss. He was a big-time DB here, an All-American, first-team All-Big Ten. If I even touch the surface of that, I’ll glad chasing to be someone like him.”

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Not a place for everybody: Iowa strong safety Xavier Nwankpa was looking forward to being reunited with high school teammate, Kadyn Proctor.

However, their time as college teammates barely lasted two months as Proctor decided to transfer back to Alabama where he started all 14 games at left tackle last season as a true freshman.

The former Southeast Polk five-star recruit transferred from Alabama to Iowa in January, much to the delight of Nwankpa and to Hawkeye fans.

Proctor transferred to Iowa shortly after Nick Saban had retired as the Alabama head coach.

It was assumed that Proctor would start for Iowa at left tackle, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I was a little disappointed,” Nwankpa said Tuesday. “I, obviously, wanted to play with him coming out of high school and being high school teammates. But it’s not a place for everybody and I just wish him the best of luck.”

Nwankpa said Proctor told him and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz on the same day that planned to transfer back to Alabama.

“It was kind of upsetting,” Nwankpa said. “But I understand where he’s coming from. So, just wish him the best of luck.”