Football
Hester, Kurt
Kurt Hester
- Title:
- Director, Strength & Conditioning (FB)
- Email:
- khester1@tulane.edu
- Phone:
- 407-8278
Tulane University graduate Kurt Hester begins his second season as the director of strength and conditioning for the Green Wave in 2023.
Hester played a crucial role in Tulane football winning its first-ever AAC Championship and the Cotton Bowl plus the program tying the school record with 12 victories during the 2022-23 season. For his outstanding efforts he was named the 2023 Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.
He arrived at Tulane after playing a pivotal role in one of the most successfully runs in college football history during his nine years at Louisiana Tech. He aided the Bulldogs make seven straight bowl appearances (2014-20), including six straight bowl victories from 2014-2019, which was tied for the fifth-longest streak in FBS history.
Hester joined Louisiana Tech after he served as a National Director of Training for the D1 Sports Training Center in Nashville, Tennessee – a position he began in 2008. He worked with training several professional athletes from leagues such as the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL) and the NFL Combine classes.
In addition to his tenure at D1 Sports Training, Hester also worked as the Director of Training at the Manning Passing Academy as he designed a training program for over 1,300 high school athletes and delivered a specific training seminar for high school and college coaches.
“Kurt was a valuable member of our Manning Passing Academy staff,” former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning said. “The energy and enthusiasm he possesses for teaching was always a welcome addition. His reputation working with elite athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels speaks for itself and I know he will be a perfect fit for Coach Fritz’s football program at Tulane University.”
From 1997-2008, Hester was the owner and Director of Performance at HS2 Athletic Performance in Mandeville. He developed and mentored area coaches for college and professional coaching careers with several going on to BCS-level schools and NFL teams. Over 500 athletes he worked with received collegiate scholarships during that time as he oversaw the development of over 400 junior and senior high students per day.
Hester was an assistant strength coach at LSU from 1995-98, working with the speed development program for then-football coach Gerry Dinardo and worked primarily with the LSU baseball team as it won two national championships under legendary coach Skip Bertman. Hester also worked with the men’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s golf programs as well as with the varsity cheerleaders.
In addition to his work with collegiate athletes, Hester spent time training with Navy SEALS.
He graduated from Tulane University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in exercise physiology. He also served as a graduate strength coach at Tulane for two years.
Hester has certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and also has his Speed Agility & Conditioning certification as well as his Level 1 certification from the United States Weightlifting Association.
Hester is married to the former Seana Durman. The couple have three children: Sydney, Rieleah and Remy.
Hester played a crucial role in Tulane football winning its first-ever AAC Championship and the Cotton Bowl plus the program tying the school record with 12 victories during the 2022-23 season. For his outstanding efforts he was named the 2023 Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.
He arrived at Tulane after playing a pivotal role in one of the most successfully runs in college football history during his nine years at Louisiana Tech. He aided the Bulldogs make seven straight bowl appearances (2014-20), including six straight bowl victories from 2014-2019, which was tied for the fifth-longest streak in FBS history.
Hester joined Louisiana Tech after he served as a National Director of Training for the D1 Sports Training Center in Nashville, Tennessee – a position he began in 2008. He worked with training several professional athletes from leagues such as the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL) and the NFL Combine classes.
In addition to his tenure at D1 Sports Training, Hester also worked as the Director of Training at the Manning Passing Academy as he designed a training program for over 1,300 high school athletes and delivered a specific training seminar for high school and college coaches.
“Kurt was a valuable member of our Manning Passing Academy staff,” former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning said. “The energy and enthusiasm he possesses for teaching was always a welcome addition. His reputation working with elite athletes at the high school, collegiate and professional levels speaks for itself and I know he will be a perfect fit for Coach Fritz’s football program at Tulane University.”
From 1997-2008, Hester was the owner and Director of Performance at HS2 Athletic Performance in Mandeville. He developed and mentored area coaches for college and professional coaching careers with several going on to BCS-level schools and NFL teams. Over 500 athletes he worked with received collegiate scholarships during that time as he oversaw the development of over 400 junior and senior high students per day.
Hester was an assistant strength coach at LSU from 1995-98, working with the speed development program for then-football coach Gerry Dinardo and worked primarily with the LSU baseball team as it won two national championships under legendary coach Skip Bertman. Hester also worked with the men’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s golf programs as well as with the varsity cheerleaders.
In addition to his work with collegiate athletes, Hester spent time training with Navy SEALS.
He graduated from Tulane University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in exercise physiology. He also served as a graduate strength coach at Tulane for two years.
Hester has certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength & Conditioning Association and also has his Speed Agility & Conditioning certification as well as his Level 1 certification from the United States Weightlifting Association.
Hester is married to the former Seana Durman. The couple have three children: Sydney, Rieleah and Remy.
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