Coach and Coordinator Podcast

Best of 2025, Sprint-Based Football - Kurt Hester

Dec 26, 2025
Kurt Hester, a seasoned football preparation coach known for his innovative approach at Louisiana Tech, Tulane, and the University of Houston, passionately discusses rethinking strength and conditioning. He advocates for speed and skill over traditional volume-based training, emphasizing recovery and injury prevention. Kurt also critiques common industry practices, encourages meaningful drills, and shares insights on athlete monitoring. His unique methods and commitment to athlete well-being make for a captivating exploration of modern football preparation.
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INSIGHT

Broaden Strength Role To Football Preparation

  • Kurt reframes the role as "Head of Football Preparation" to encompass speed, vision, tackling skill, and recovery rather than just weight-room work.
  • He argues preparation must be multifaceted and position-specific to truly ready athletes for contact and performance.
ANECDOTE

Small-Program Success Through Development

  • At Louisiana Tech Kurt helped win eight straight bowl games and sent many players to the NFL from a small program.
  • He credits time, focused development, and relationships for keeping players and producing NFL talent.
INSIGHT

Camp Fatigue Masks Competitive Advantage

  • Kurt tracked vertical jump through camp and found athletes lost ~4.5–5 inches, indicating high fatigue and injury risk.
  • He reasons less fatigued teams would hold a 4–5 week speed/strength advantage after camp if others follow traditional heavy-volume camps.
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