Head coach Jim Kubiak is pleased to introduce Chuck Lester as the Senior Assistant football coach as they organize for the 2022 football season.
Lester grew up in Illinois and continued his academic studies at the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1976 and continued his studies towards a master’s degree while serving as assistant football coach at Oklahoma the following year.
Lester was part of the coaching staff that guided the Sooners to both the 1974 and 1975 NCAA National Championship as well as four Orange Bowls (1976 through 1980).
He shifted gears, moved north to serve as the linebackers coach at Iowa State University (1981 and 82). Lester returned to Oklahoma as the linebackers coach for two additional seasons and helped lead the Sooners to another bowl game in 1982 (Fiesta Bowl) before serving as a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1984 to 1986.
The Western New York community gained his talents when he joined the Buffalo Bills football staff in 1986, and he remained on the sidelines until 2009. Lester coached various positions over his NFL tenure and has coached in 367 professional football games.
Lester lists his coaching mentors as NFL Hall of Famer Marv Levy, Bill Polian, Dick LeBeau, Bill Belichick and Wade Phillips. He has also worked on the staffs of Charlie Joiner, and Jim Ringo.
Achievements
Linebacker coach on the 2000 Buffalo Bills team that led the NFL in defense
Linebacker coach on four consecutive AFC Championship teams
Member of the coaching staff to earn 100 Wins in a decade
Coached NFL Hall of Fame players: Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, James Lofton and Andre Reed
Linebacker coach in the AFC Pro Bowl game 1989
Coached numerous All-Pro Players in the NFL
Coached numerous All-Americans at Oklahoma
Inducted into the Tinley Park High School (Illinois) Alumni Hall of Fame
QUOTES ABOUT CHUCK LESTER
Roger Goodell – Current Commissioner of the National Football League
“Coach Lester brings a wealth of experience to the Hilbert coaching staff. In 23 years with the Buffalo Bills, Chuck was part of one of the finest coaching staffs in NFL history and worked with Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, and Andre Reed. He’s a teacher with a deep knowledge of the game and a terrific addition to Jim Kubiak’s staff.”
Marv Levy – Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach; Former Buffalo Bills Head Coach/ General Manager
“Chuck Lester was such an integral part of the success that our Buffalo Bills teams experienced during our four Super Bowl years - - and beyond - - back in the 1990's. He was a top assistant on my staff, and he contributed so much in helping me to do the job I was doing as head coach of those teams.
And now he is moving into a much similar role at Hilbert College as he joins Coach Jim Kubiak's staff there. Hilbert - - and Jim Kubiak - - have just added an outstanding coach. And besides that, they have also just added an enthusiastic fan of their football team. That's me.”
Bill Belichick– Current Head Coach and General Manager of the New England Patriots
“Chuck Lester has a great deal of knowledge and experience in all aspects of football! He is an asset to any program…”
Dick LeBeau – Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach; Former NFL Coach (45 seasons)
"Coach Lester has a wealth of experience in the game of football. He has been associated with winning programs wherever he has worked. When he and I were on the same team, I was very impressed with his ability to recognize the opponent's personnel and the plays they were running from various sets. Chuck was very much a team man and will be a great asset to any organization that he is associated with!”
