University of Houston Athletics
Cougars Formalize Strength & Conditioning Staff
1/17/2024 8:22:00 AM | Football
Kurt Hester to lead strength staff, joins Cougars from Tulane
HOUSTON – Kurt Hester, a veteran strength & conditioning coach who has spent nearly three decades in the industry, has been tapped as University of Houston Football's Director of Strength & Performance, Head Coach Willie Fritz announced Wednesday.
Hester joins the Cougars after spending two seasons in the same capacity at Tulane (2022-23). He is joined from Tulane by Assistant Strength Coach Tyler Kishbaugh and Assistant Strength Coach Ben Moortgat who each played key roles in the Green Wave's record-setting success over the last two seasons. Assistant Strength Coach Kevin McCadam, who enters his sixth season supporting Houston Football, also returns for the 2024 season.
THE HESTER FILE
Hester played a crucial role in Tulane's record-setting success between 2022-23 highlighted by 23 victories (fourth nationally), 15 conference wins (fifth nationally) and two American Athletic Conference Championship game appearances.
In 2023, Tulane reached the American Championship game for a second consecutive season behind a perfect 8-0 league mark. The program's 11 victories were tied for the third most in team history and alongside the team's 12-2 record in 2022, it marked the first time in school history Tulane had notched consecutive 10-plus win seasons.
In 2022, the Green Wave captured their first American Athletic Conference Championship en route to defeating #8 USC in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic. The program tied the school record with 12 victories and finished ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll one year after finishing 2-10 overall. For his outstanding efforts he was named the 2022 Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.
Hester 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' 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. In 2016, Hester was the only Group of 5 finalist for the Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.
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.
From 1997-2008, Hester was the owner and Director of Performance at HS2 Athletic Performance in Mandeville, La. There, 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 Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer and Women's Golf 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 in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science 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 as well as his Speed Agility & Conditioning certification as well as his Level 1 certification from the United States Weightlifting Association.
HESTER ADDS TO STAFF
Kishbaugh joins Houston as its Assistant Strength Coach after spending the last two seasons at Tulane in the same capacity. The Ithaca College graduate and former defensive back spent time previously at Temple, North Carolina, Villanova and Ithaca College.
At Tulane, Kishbaugh was responsible for weight room programming and skill positions as well as all aspects of return to play for football. He led and programmed FRC mobility routines for pregame and lift sessions and played an integral role in the Green Wave's historic two-year run. For more on Kishbaugh, click here.
Moortgat joins Houston as Assistant Strength Coach following three seasons at Tulane. There, Moortgat was elevated to Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning and worked exclusively with Football after joining the Green Wave in July 2021 as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.
He was also the department's Sports Science Coordinator and managed all aspects of Tulane's Sports Science department including Catapult GPS, Norbord, Force Plates, Perch VBT among other aspects of the division. Previous strength experience includes stops with Northwest Mississippi Community College, Oregon, Georgia and Central Arkansas. For more on Moortgat, click here.
McCadam returns for his sixth season with the program and serves as Assistant Strength Coach. He joined Houston after six seasons at West Virginia where he served as Coordinator of Strength & Conditioning (Feb. 2010 – June 2013) for Football and Baseball before being elevated to Assistant Director for Football in July 2013 where his emphasis was speed and development.
The Virginia Tech graduate and two-year member of the Hokies' Football program played 71 games and made six starts across five NFL seasons from 2002-06. For more on McCadam, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
Hester joins the Cougars after spending two seasons in the same capacity at Tulane (2022-23). He is joined from Tulane by Assistant Strength Coach Tyler Kishbaugh and Assistant Strength Coach Ben Moortgat who each played key roles in the Green Wave's record-setting success over the last two seasons. Assistant Strength Coach Kevin McCadam, who enters his sixth season supporting Houston Football, also returns for the 2024 season.
THE HESTER FILE
Hester played a crucial role in Tulane's record-setting success between 2022-23 highlighted by 23 victories (fourth nationally), 15 conference wins (fifth nationally) and two American Athletic Conference Championship game appearances.
In 2023, Tulane reached the American Championship game for a second consecutive season behind a perfect 8-0 league mark. The program's 11 victories were tied for the third most in team history and alongside the team's 12-2 record in 2022, it marked the first time in school history Tulane had notched consecutive 10-plus win seasons.
In 2022, the Green Wave captured their first American Athletic Conference Championship en route to defeating #8 USC in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic. The program tied the school record with 12 victories and finished ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll one year after finishing 2-10 overall. For his outstanding efforts he was named the 2022 Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.Hester 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' 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. In 2016, Hester was the only Group of 5 finalist for the Football Scoop Strength Coach of the Year.
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.
From 1997-2008, Hester was the owner and Director of Performance at HS2 Athletic Performance in Mandeville, La. There, 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 Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer and Women's Golf 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 in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science 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 as well as his Speed Agility & Conditioning certification as well as his Level 1 certification from the United States Weightlifting Association.
HESTER ADDS TO STAFF
Kishbaugh joins Houston as its Assistant Strength Coach after spending the last two seasons at Tulane in the same capacity. The Ithaca College graduate and former defensive back spent time previously at Temple, North Carolina, Villanova and Ithaca College.
At Tulane, Kishbaugh was responsible for weight room programming and skill positions as well as all aspects of return to play for football. He led and programmed FRC mobility routines for pregame and lift sessions and played an integral role in the Green Wave's historic two-year run. For more on Kishbaugh, click here.
Moortgat joins Houston as Assistant Strength Coach following three seasons at Tulane. There, Moortgat was elevated to Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning and worked exclusively with Football after joining the Green Wave in July 2021 as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.
He was also the department's Sports Science Coordinator and managed all aspects of Tulane's Sports Science department including Catapult GPS, Norbord, Force Plates, Perch VBT among other aspects of the division. Previous strength experience includes stops with Northwest Mississippi Community College, Oregon, Georgia and Central Arkansas. For more on Moortgat, click here.
McCadam returns for his sixth season with the program and serves as Assistant Strength Coach. He joined Houston after six seasons at West Virginia where he served as Coordinator of Strength & Conditioning (Feb. 2010 – June 2013) for Football and Baseball before being elevated to Assistant Director for Football in July 2013 where his emphasis was speed and development.
The Virginia Tech graduate and two-year member of the Hokies' Football program played 71 games and made six starts across five NFL seasons from 2002-06. For more on McCadam, click here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
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