A Community Grieves as a Legend Passes
The Houston Cougars football program and the wider college sports community are mourning the loss of
Kurt Hester, the team’s director of strength and performance, who died Saturday at age 61 after an eight-month battle with stage IV melanoma. Hester’s passing came just hours before Houston’s emotional 24-16 victory over No. 24 Arizona State—a win the team dedicated to their beloved coach.
Diagnosed, But Never Defeated
Hester’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. Diagnosed in February 2025 with advanced melanoma, doctors initially gave him just four to six weeks to live. Yet, true to his reputation for resilience, Hester defied the odds, continuing to coach and inspire his players even as he underwent treatment. His story was so compelling that ESPN’s College GameDay featured his fight earlier this month, highlighting his unwavering spirit and the impact he had on everyone around him.
“Unbreakable” Spirit Remembered
Houston head coach Willie Fritz summed up Hester’s legacy:
“Kurt showed his unbreakable spirit every day. He had a tremendously positive influence on every single person in our program and on this program as a whole. Kurt was fortunate enough to love what he did for a living and had an unbelievable impact on so many people across so many programs. Kurt had his family, faith and football and that's what he cared about.”
Players echoed these sentiments, describing Hester as a man who “stared death in the face and didn’t blink” and who “defined unbreakable by living it”. Even as his health declined, Hester continued to attend practices, using coaching as a form of therapy and motivation for himself and his athletes.
A Career of Impact
Hester joined Houston in January 2024 after two seasons at Tulane, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Cougars’ program. His influence extended far beyond the weight room—he was a mentor, motivator, and father figure to countless athletes over his decades-long career.
Just days before his passing, Hester was nominated for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, a testament to the respect he commanded across the college football landscape.
Family, Faith, and Football
Hester is survived by his wife, Seana, and three children: Sydney, Rieleah, and Remy. The outpouring of support from the Houston community and beyond has been overwhelming, with tributes pouring in from former players, colleagues, and fans.
What’s Next for Houston?
The Cougars’ victory over Arizona State was bittersweet, serving as both a tribute and a rallying point for a team determined to honor Hester’s legacy. As quarterback Conner Weigman put it,
“The whole game was for him.”
Houston’s program will move forward, but the memory of Kurt Hester—his strength, his faith, and his relentless positivity—will remain a guiding force for years to come.
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12. PROGRESSING TOGETHER as a Nation
