Speed Work Is Priority but Not Majority

On this episode of Best of 2025 of Coach and Coordinator Network, we revisit one of the most impactful conversations released in 2025. Our discussion with Kurt Hester on the Sprint-Based Football podcast, hosted by Tony Holler. Kurt Hester was clear in his beliefs and deeply committed to doing what was right for athletes, even when it meant challenging long-held traditions.

Coach Kurt Hester’s passing was a profound loss for the football coaching community. He was known for his unmatched energy, authenticity, and deep care for athletes and coaches alike. We are proud that we were able to share his insights, passion, and perspective through multiple episodes, preserving his voice and lessons for coaches everywhere. Kurt’s impact lives on through the players he inspired, the coaches he mentored, and the standard he set for serving this profession the right way.

In this episode, Kurt breaks down his approach to football preparation, explaining why chasing numbers often fails to translate to performance on the field. He emphasizes the importance of speed, skill training and athlete health over volume-based conditioning and weight-room philosophies. Drawing from his experience across multiple college programs, Kurt shares why intent and execution matter more than trends or approval.

The conversation explores strength and conditioning through a performance lens: covering speed training, deceleration, change of direction, recovery, and injury prevention while reinforcing that preparation should always serve the athlete, not the system. Kurt’s perspective is conviction-driven, experience-based, and focused on building better players through smarter training.

This Best of 2025 selection also coincides with the release of the Coach and Coordinator AI Strength and Conditioning Insight Companion, built entirely from Kurt Hester’s podcast episodes and a full clinic presentation he delivered for the community. Designed to preserve and apply his thinking without speculation or outside interpretation, this episode stands as both a tribute and a lasting learning resource for coaches committed to pushing the profession forward.

Coach and Coordinator AI - Kurt Hester S&C Insight Companion

Chapters

• Why Kurt Hester’s Voice Mattered in 2025

• Challenging Tradition in Football Preparation

• Speed and Skill Over Numbers

• Readiness Versus Volume

• Rethinking Strength and Conditioning

• Injury Prevention and Athlete Health

• Deceleration and Change of Direction

• Data, GPS, and Knowing Instead of Guessing

• Discipline, Accountability, and Culture

• Preserving Kurt Hester’s Legacy Through AI

  
  

  Connect on X:

  Tony Holler: @pntrack

  Titan Sensors: @titansensor

  
  

  Support our Partner: Titan GPS

  Founded and based in Texas, Titan GPS is your key to sprint-based football success. Designed specifically for high school football, Titan tracks the metrics that matter, like top speed, explosive acceleration, and even the powerful 'truck stick'—speed times weight for the ultimate performance insight.  Whether it’s optimizing practice, spotlighting players with 3D highlights, or giving recruiters verified in-game stats, Titan delivers. And with no minimums to get started, Titan walks you through every step. Message them on X @titansensor to learn more. Titan GPS—performance measured, potential unlocked.”

  https://www.titansensor.com/

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