He started teaching and coaching at age 29 in 1949 at Anoka High School. The reason for his late start was he was called into military service one year before WV/TI began. When the war ended, as an officer, he led an infantry company of about I 00 men into the occupation of Japan. He was on Leyte island in the Philippine's when the "bomb" was dropped and Japan surrendered. Thankfully he came back alive to influence many young lives in his coaching and teaching career. He started as head football coach and assistant wrestling coach at Anoka High School. He then moved on to the college scene as a football coach at Bemidji State in 1955., but the name of Chester "Chet" Anderson is remembered most for his great success as a college wrestling coach. He built the Bemidji State College wrestling program to a national level of prominence. Anderson's football teams captured two conference titles, but when the wrestling program was doing poorly he took over with the purpose of helping to keep the program alive. What he thought might be only a year or two commitment lasted 26 years! "Wrestling success exploded and I couldn't get out," said Anderson. "After 10 years of coaching football I got out and concentrated on wrestling." That decision proved vital to the future of many successful Bemidji State wrestlers. Bemidji teams placed in the top 10 of the NAIA Nationals nine times,, with Anderson's 1976 team finishing as National Runner ups. Over 40 wrestlers achieved All American honors during his coaching reign. Bemidji teams also captured three titles in a tough conference. The NATA was also loaded with many talented programs during those years. As well as coaching, Anderson ran numerous seeding meetings for the NAIA, and for high school region tournaments , as well as AAU Freestyle tournaments. He also served on the NAIA Grievance Committee and was Regional Representative. He is a member of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, Bemidji* State Athletic Hall of Fame and the Dave Bartelma Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame. Bemidji State University's football field is named in his honor. He is one of Minnesota's College coaching.. legends.