What if a coach’s greatest win isn’t on the scoreboard, but in the...
Thad Wells@ThadWells
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May 20, 2025
~3 min read
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What if a coach’s greatest win isn’t on the scoreboard, but in the lives they change?
Meet Kurt Hines.
A high school football coach redefining success—both with his team—and with the entire coaching community.
🧵THREAD
Meet Kurt Hines.
A high school football coach redefining success—both with his team—and with the entire coaching community.
🧵THREAD
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A C- student in school, Hines had no plans to coach until a professor suggested he lead a special needs flag football team in college.
That moment ignited something that's burned for nearly three decades.
That moment ignited something that's burned for nearly three decades.
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His first head coaching job was brutal.
New high school. No seniors. No wins.
They didn't just lose – they "got their teeth kicked in" every game.
Many coaches would have blamed the players. Hines looked in the mirror.
New high school. No seniors. No wins.
They didn't just lose – they "got their teeth kicked in" every game.
Many coaches would have blamed the players. Hines looked in the mirror.
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"I took on too much," he realized. His playbook grew massive, the results got worse.
He discovered Bruce Lee's wisdom:
"I fear not the man who practices 1,000 kicks, but one kick 1,000 times."
He discovered Bruce Lee's wisdom:
"I fear not the man who practices 1,000 kicks, but one kick 1,000 times."
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Hines simplified everything. Fewer plays. More mastery.
But his most important evolution wasn't tactical.
"Great coaching has little to do with the players and everything to do with people."
But his most important evolution wasn't tactical.
"Great coaching has little to do with the players and everything to do with people."
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One of Hines' early assistants warned: "The kids don't respect you. They're not afraid of you."
Hines responded simply: "I don't want them to be afraid of me."
He chose a different path.
Hines responded simply: "I don't want them to be afraid of me."
He chose a different path.
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At Coronado High in San Diego, Hines developed a coaching mantra:
"We're going to coach you hard. We're going to love you hard."
In his world, those concepts aren't opposites. They're the same thing.
"We're going to coach you hard. We're going to love you hard."
In his world, those concepts aren't opposites. They're the same thing.
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During a playoff game, Hines saw one of his best players showing poor body language.
Rather than benching him, Hines asked: "How's your grandma?"
The player immediately broke into tears.
Rather than benching him, Hines asked: "How's your grandma?"
The player immediately broke into tears.
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Hines builds relationships first, so he knows what's happening in his players' lives.
You can't expect peak performance from someone carrying invisible burdens.
You can't expect peak performance from someone carrying invisible burdens.
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Last year, Hines went viral with a video about a player who wanted to quit.
Football family. Older brother was a star. But this kid wasn't passionate about the game.
Football family. Older brother was a star. But this kid wasn't passionate about the game.
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When the player nervously came to quit, Hines shocked him:
"I'm proud of you. It takes courage not to keep showing up late or fake an injury."
The video challenged conventional coaching wisdom.
"I'm proud of you. It takes courage not to keep showing up late or fake an injury."
The video challenged conventional coaching wisdom.
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"Society tells us you're a self-made man," Hines says.
"That you don't need anyone else."
He rejects that completely. His program is built on interdependence, not individualism.
"That you don't need anyone else."
He rejects that completely. His program is built on interdependence, not individualism.
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Critics called him soft after the quitting video. Hines responded:
"Have you had other jobs? Dated before your spouse? My point is you're not quitting. You're finding your passion."
"Have you had other jobs? Dated before your spouse? My point is you're not quitting. You're finding your passion."
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A player once accused Hines of playing favorites.
"We all do," Hines responded. "I favor those who show up, know the plays, and are selfless."
Words that resonate with every leader who values consistency.
"We all do," Hines responded. "I favor those who show up, know the plays, and are selfless."
Words that resonate with every leader who values consistency.
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During COVID, Hines wrote "Called to Empower" – reflections that confront mental health stigmas and champion authentic connections.
It's become a playbook for leaders beyond football.
It's become a playbook for leaders beyond football.
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"Coaching fills my cup," Hines says. "Many make more money but feel they're not making a difference."
For him, impact will always outweigh income.
For him, impact will always outweigh income.
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Kurt Hines reminds us that leadership isn't about fear or tactical brilliance.
It's about serving others. Building relationships. Creating space for growth.
That's how you win – not just games, but hearts and minds.
It's about serving others. Building relationships. Creating space for growth.
That's how you win – not just games, but hearts and minds.
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Follow @CoachKurtHines to learn from one of the most impactful voices in coaching today.
And check out his book "Called to Empower" – a blueprint for leaders who want to make a difference beyond the scoreboard.
—Thad Wells (@ThadWells)
And check out his book "Called to Empower" – a blueprint for leaders who want to make a difference beyond the scoreboard.
—Thad Wells (@ThadWells)
