Toryeon Hester enters his seventh season with the Shaw Bears including his second as offensive coordinator after serving as wide receivers and recruiting coordinator the past five seasons.
Hester has been a part of four Raleigh Classic wins in six games against crosstown rival Saint Augustine's, including a 30-27 double overtime win in 2022. That year, the Bears ranked fourth in the CIAA in rushing offense and standout back Sydney Gibbs was named to the All-CIAA second team. Running back Andre Brandon Jr. gained a school-record 313 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Livingstone.
Both Gibbs and Brandon ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in the CIAAÂ in rushing average.
In 2019, Hester helped lead the Bears to a 6-4 overall record and 5-2 CIAA mark as Shaw finished second in the Southern Division. Tight end Kevonta Moses was named to the All-CIAA second team that year. In 2018, Moses garnered first team All-CIAA honors while wide receivers Daniel Bender and Marquis Gorham received CIAA honorable mention honors.
During the 2017 season, wide receiver Trevante Long, under the guidance of Hester, became the program’s all-time leader in total receptions (144). Daniel Bender, another Hester pupil, was placed on the CIAA All-Rookie Team.
Before arriving at Shaw, Hester spent five seasons as a wide receivers, passing game and special teams coordinator at Southern Durham High School under Head Coach Adrian Jones, where he helped lead the Spartans to three Big Eight Conference Championships, the 2015 Class 3AA State Runner-Up Trophy, the 2015 and 2013 Class 3AA East Regional Championship, and the 2013 Class 3AA NCHSAA State Championship.
As a football player, Hester played professionally in the Arena/Indoor Football League with four different teams from 2005-10 including the South Georgia Wildcats (2005-2007), the Ohio Valley Greyhounds, the Summit County Rumble (2007-2008) and the Fayetteville Guard (2008-2010).
A native of Durham, N.C, Hester was a three-year letterman wide receiver at North Carolina Central University (2003-2006) where he was third on the team in receptions and yards during his career. He was a member of the 2005 CIAA Championship team under former head coach Rod Broadway.
Hester holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a concentration in health wellness from NCCU (2009). He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He earned a Master in Education of Child Development.
Hester's coaching highlights:
Member of American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
·       2016 - Coached in the USA Regional Development Camp (Present)
·       2017 - Coached in the HBCU Spirit of America Bowl
·       2019 - Selected to the NCAA NFL Coaches Academy
·       2022 - Selected to the NCAA NFL Coaches Academy
2020 - Selected as an Assistant Wide Receivers Coach in the USA National Team International Bowl, which was played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas - Home of the Dallas Cowboys.
