Abe Hestdalen joined the Chadron State football staff as a coaching assistant in May 2026, where he will work with the program's defensive line.
Hestdalen begins his coaching career at Chadron State following a five-year collegiate playing career at Minnesota State University Moorhead (three seasons) and Minnesota State University, Mankato (two seasons). After a redshirt season, Hestdalen tallied 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks in 2022 before adding 41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries for a 7-4 Dragons team in 2023.
During his time at Minnesota State University, Mankato, he helped lead the Mavericks to back-to-back NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including an NCAA Division II Super Region Four Championship in 2024, earning 2024 Minnesota State Defensive Tackle of the Year honors that season, while the Mavericks were also NSIC South Co-Champions in 2025. Hestdalen was named a 2025 NSIC Defensive Player to Watch and served as a 2025 team captain.
Hestdalen graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Leadership. A native of West Fargo, North Dakota, Hestdalen graduated from Sheyenne High School in 2021.
