After nine seasons at the helm, Coronado High School football coach Kurt Hines has been fired, and the district has already announced who will take his role.
In a social media post announcing the termination, Hines said he was given no explanation.
“[I] just got fired,” Hines said in a video posted to his Instagram on Nov. 18. “No April fools, no joke … was told that as coaches, we are at-will employees and they don’t need to give a reason.”
Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) officials declined to comment on Nov. 20, but announced the following day that the role was given to Josh Dean, a Coronado High School teacher and former college and professional player.
Dean played quarterback at Willamette University before playing four professional seasons in Europe, which included a Swiss National Championship with the Calanda Broncos. He teaches an advanced placement U.S. history class, economics and personal finance at Coronado High School.
“After five years of teaching at CHS, I’m honored and humbled to further devote myself to this community as a coach,” said Dean. “Football is what truly animates me, and I’m excited to share the passion and joy this game has given me with current and future Islanders.”
During his tenure, Hines led the Islanders to a record of 48-47, and this season coached the team to a 6-4 record, falling to La Jolla Country Day in the first round of CIF playoffs by a score of 35-14. In all but two of nine seasons at Coronado – 2017, his first season, and 2023 – the Islanders finished with a winning record.
Maria Simon, public information officer for the School District, said via email on Nov. 20 that “the district cannot comment on confidential personnel matters.” She added that California public school coaches are considered at-will employees and their contracts are renewed annually.
“Coach Hines has served our program with enthusiasm and integrity,” said athletic director Aaron Brooks. “We appreciate his years of leadership and dedication to our athletes and community. We extend our best wishes to him moving forward.”
Jillian Hines, the coach’s wife, took to her X page and quote-tweeted Hines’ video, saying: “When a district has no clue and gives no reason…but we know.” She ended the tweet with an emoji of a cross.
Reached by text on Nov. 19, Hines – who is outspoken about his Christian faith – declined to comment further about the firing.
Hines moved to San Diego in July of 2015 to be closer to his two oldest children and his grandsons. Prior to that, Hines lived in New Hampshire, where he was an assistant coach at Souhegan High School and Goffstown High School before getting the head coaching job at Bedford High School, where he spent seven years. Hines built the program from an 0-9 Division 3 team in his first year to a 7-2 Division 1 team by his seventh and final season.
Before taking the job at Coronado, he was an assistant coach at Christian High School in El Cajon for two seasons. He teaches fourth grade at Christian Elementary West, also in El Cajon.
Hines, an author, public speaker and prolific online figure, has accumulated a large social media following, with about 78,500 followers on X. Many of his videos emphasize character development, and how that’s at the forefront of his coaching style.
He closes each video with a motto: “Take it for what it’s worth, and stay strong.” Just a few weeks ago, he was a guest on a podcast called the “Coach Speak Podcast” on YouTube, hosted by Jamie Bolton and Dustin Martin. Throughout the episode, he talked about transformational coaching as opposed to transactional, which focuses on building relationships, growth and accountability, compassion in coaching and embracing failure as a learning tool.
During his time at CHS, Hines implemented weekly grade checks. He also established a no-swearing policy for coaches and players, with 30 pushups as the penalty for violations.
Hines’ book, “Called to Empower,” was published in July of 2024, and focuses on “… the transformative power of mentorship, discipline, and resilience.”
“At a loss for words,” Hines said in his farewell video. “Will I be OK? Yes. Will I end up somewhere else? Yes. That’s it. I’ve got to practice what I preach: Take it for what it’s worth, and stay strong.”
