Esdale began his coaching career in the late-1960s and quickly rose to become the head coach at American International by 1972.[1] After only two seasons, however, he moved on to other coaching options. After a short stint at the University of Alberta where he won three national titles as an assistant, Esdale eventually landed in Big Rapids as an assistant to Dick Bertrand. After Bertrand resigned mid-way through the 1985–86 season, Esdale was named as the interim head coach and finished out the season with a losing but respectable record. After the season, despite a vote of confidence from the AD,[2] Esdale was not retained by the Bulldogs and instead was named as head coach for the Spokane Chiefs. A year later Esdale announced his retirement from coaching to become a sales rep for Procter & Gamble.[3] Esdale could not stay away from coaching for long, however, and was soon back with the Alberta Golden Bears, first as an assistant and eventually as head coach, though only for one season.
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion