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In Episode 249 of Muscles and Management, Gerry welcomes veteran coach Kurt Hester, currently Head of Football Preparation at the University of Houston, for a deep dive into his decades-long career in strength and conditioning. From his early days pioneering speed training and private sector facilities to working with top college programs and pro athletes, Kurt shares invaluable lessons on coaching, culture, and doing what truly matters for athlete development.

The two discuss how the field has evolved, balancing data with coaching intuition, and the reality of social media’s influence on training trends. Kurt also opens up about his current battle with stage four cancer, his approach to life and coaching, and the importance of giving back to athletes and young coaches alike.

This episode is packed with wisdom, hard truths, and powerful insights from one of the most respected figures in S&C.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction to Kurt Hester and his career journey
3:17 – The title “Head of Football Preparation” and what it really means
5:56 – Evolution of strength and conditioning since the 80s and 90s
10:18 – Early speed training, deceleration work, and novel methods before they were popular
14:00 – Balancing data, coaching instincts, and modern tech
18:05 – Social media’s impact on coaching credibility and training trends
22:19 – Being labeled as “the speed guy,” “the baseball guy,” and more throughout his career
25:00 – Running one of the first large-scale private training facilities in the U.S.
29:50 – Building culture, trust, and lasting relationships with athletes
33:42 – Impacting lives beyond sports and community involvement
37:48 – Private sector vs. college S&C: realities and misconceptions
43:15 – The challenges of credibility in today’s coaching landscape
48:05 – Advice for young coaches and navigating the industry
50:06 – Final thoughts and where to connect with Kurt

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