Bart Estola will work with special teams as the co-coordinator and also with defensive backs in 2024-25 for the third straight campaign. He previously worked with the tight ends during his first three years with the program. Estola's specialsts saw great success in 2023 as the Panthers ranked third in the GLIAC in net punting (35.96) and second in punt return defense (6.0). Placekicker Brandon Gielow ranked second in the conference in field goal percentage (76.9) and was third in the conference in field goals made per game (1.0).
In 2022, the Panthers boasted one of the best passing defenses in Division II. DU ranked ninth nationally and led the GLIAC allowing just 155.1 passing yards per game. Estola helped mentor Shaq Floyd in the secondary who was named Second Team All-Region and Honorable Mention All-America.
Estola currently works as a math instructor at Grand Rapids Community College. He coached at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School from 2012-2015. He has numerous years of experience at the college level with stints at Central Michigan, Michigan Tech, GRCC and Ferris State.
He also coached high school football for 29 years including sixteen years as a head coach. He led his teams to three conference championships, three state playoff appearances and three consecutive state championships at West Catholic. He served as principal and athletic director at Shelby High School from 1997-2008. Most recently, he served as defensive coordinator at Comstock Park High School in 2016. Estola earned his master's degree in educational leadership from Central Michigan University.
