Oct 26, 2025, 01:00 AM ET<\/p>\n
TEMPE, Ariz. — Kurt Hester, who was Houston<\/a> football’s director of strength and performance, died Saturday from cancer. He was 61.<\/p>\n Hester died just hours before the Cougars’ 24-16 victory over No. 24 Arizona State<\/a> later Saturday, the team announced. Coach Willie Fritz said the team spent part of its pregame meal telling stories about a “rare individual.”<\/p>\n “It’s a bittersweet win, without question,” Fritz said. “Kurt Hester was an unbelievably important person in our football program. I’ve been with him for a while. He’s the best strength and conditioning coach I’ve ever been around, but more importantly, just a fantastic role model for our student-athletes.”<\/p>\n That was for you, Coach. <\/p>\n We are saddened by Kurt Hester’s passing away earlier today. He inspired us every day to be unbreakable. pic.twitter.com\/reJvl4fqba<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) October 26, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Fritz said Hester came to Houston’s football facility for the final time Thursday and gave a message to the team.<\/p>\n Hester was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma in February. He is survived by his wife, Seana, and children, Sydney, Rieleah and Remy.<\/p>\n “He stared death in the face and didn’t blink,” Cougars tight end Tanner Koziol<\/a> said. “He was truly unbreakable. He defined that word by living it. He’s such a man of faith.”<\/p>\n