Chris Chestnut, a former professional wide receiver and collegiate captain, serves as WKU’s wide receivers coach, a post he assumed in December 2018.
Under Chestnut's guidance, WKU receivers had one of the best seasons in recent memory. Lucky Jackson had 94 receptions for 1,133 yards and four touchdowns, while Jahcour Pearson recorded 76 receptions for 804 yards and seven scores. Jackson and Pearson were only 1-of-5 FBS teammate duos who each had at least 75 catches and 800 yards.
Jackson set the all-time Hilltopper program record with 17 catches vs. Western Michigan in the First Responder Bowl after previously setting the record earlier in the season with 16 grabs at Marshall. Jackson garnered First Team All-Conference USA honors while Pearson received Second Team All-Conference USA recognition. Jackson was also added to the 2019 Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
Chestnut came to WKU following a three-year run on the coaching staff at Tennessee State, including the final two as wide receivers coach. Chestnut began his run on the staff as an offensive quality control coach working with the tight ends.
While at TSU, Chestnut was instrumental in the development of a wide receiving corps that included four receivers who caught at least 28 balls, led by junior Chris Rowland’s 57 receptions for 727 yards. Rowland was named an All-Ohio Valley Conference second teamer as a wide receiver and return specialist, while Treon Harris, a former quarterback at Florida, completed his transition to wide receiver by tallying 35 receptions and five touchdowns, both the second-best marks on the Tiger squad.
Chestnut’s work with receiver Patrick Smith in 2017 helped the senior receiver finish his career among the top five Tigers in career yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Smith led TSU in receiving in his final three seasons in Nashville.
Prior to going to TSU, Chestnut spent one season at Miami (Fla.) as an offensive assistant which included time as the interim tight ends coach for the 2015.
Chestnut spent time in the high school ranks in his hometown of Durham, N.C., as Northern Durham High School where he was the offensive coordinator for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, his second stint at the school. He spent one season as a graduate assistant the University of South Florida in 2012. Chestnut has also coached on the collegiate level at Campbell (2010-11) and Ellsworth Community College (2009).
Chestnut’s coaching career began with his first stint at Northern Durham immediately following a collegiate playing career, at College of the Canyons and Western Michigan, and professional career in the Arena Football League.
He led Canyons in receiving each of his two seasons and was named All-Western State Conference First Team as a sophomore before transferring to WMU. As a junior, Chestnut started all 11 games and was a two-year letterman for the Broncos. He capped his career, which included 30 catches for 412 yards, by earning a captain’s role as a senior in 2003.
Chestnut’s professional career in the AFL included stops with the New York Dragons (2004), Las Vegas Gladiators (2004-05) and Georgia Wildcats (2006).
A 2008 graduate from Western Michigan, Chestnut has three children: Jaylon, Carter and Christina. He is married to Maria Chestnut.
THE CHRIS CHESTNUT FILE
PERSONAL
Born: Dec. 23, 1980
Hometown: Durham, N.C.
College: Western Michigan, ‘08
Wife: Maria
Children: Jaylon, Carter and Christina
PLAYING CAREER (Wide Receiver)
College: College of the Canyons (2000-01); Western Michigan (2002-03)
Professional: New York Dragons (AFL, 2004); Las Vegas Gladiators (AFL, 2004-05); Georgia Wildcats (AFL, 2006)
COACHING CAREER
2004-08: Northern Durham HS (Assistant Coach)
2009: Ellsworth Community College (Wide Receivers)
2010-11: Campbell (Running Backs)
2012: South Florida (Graduate Assistant)
2013-14: Northern Durham HS (Assistant Coach)
2015: Miami (Offensive Assistant/Tight Ends)
2016: Tennessee State (Offensive Quality Control)
2017-18: Tennessee State (Wide Receivers)
2019-present: WKU (Wide Receivers)
