"Unseen Excellence: What Coach Albert Hernandez Taught Me at State"
Richie Ramirez • April 18, 2025
“Why Coach Hernandez Deserves Recognition”
This year I had the opportunity to attend my first State Powerlifting Championship, and to be honest—it was chaos. The venue was packed with schools, athletes, fans, and tension. It was exciting, but it was also clear that the organizational side of things was far behind the level of competition being showcased.
Our two female athletes from the gym represented Goddard High School—just 2 of 3 athletes competing for their school. Thankfully, both of them made the podium (which I wrote about in a blog a couple week’s back), but this post isn’t about them. This is about someone else who showed me what real coaching leadership looks like in the middle of all that chaos.
It’s about Coach Albert Hernandez.
Coach Hernandez has been the powerlifting coach at Roswell High for three years. As far as I know, he isn’t a full-time teacher. He works a job outside the school district and still commits himself to coaching student-athletes. And after what I witnessed at that state competition, I believe every coach in the area—from youth to high school—should be learning from his example.
What I Saw
Coach Hernandez brought nine athletes to the state meet. Seven of them got on the podium. One of them, Matthew Castillo, completed his 4th consecutive year as a state champion in his weight class. That level of consistency and leadership is the kind of thing coaches dream of achieving—but that’s not what impressed me the most.
What I noticed, and what most people probably didn’t, were the quiet, selfless moments that revealed true coaching character.
During the chaos of Yaretzi’s back squat attempt (one of our gym athletes competing for Goddard), her lift was being contested by judges. I watched as her coaches looked confused, frustrated, and unsure of what was happening. Then, out of nowhere, Coach Hernandez—a coach for a rival school—stepped in to help.
His own athlete was on the opposite side of the arena, and yet he had taken the time to observe, understand the situation, and offer guidance to a lifter that wasn’t even on his team. He calmly explained what was happening and what needed to be done.
That moment stuck with me. But it didn’t stop there.
Later, during Yaretzi’s bench press attempts, there was another miscommunication—an incorrectly recorded failed lift. None of us even knew the lift was recorded as failed until Coach Hernandez walked up to Xavier (Yaretzi's Uncle and PT) and said:
"Hey… was that last lift good or not? Because the score sheet shows two misses. You might want to go check."
Because of that heads-up, Xavier and the coaching staff were able to use video footage to prove 2 white lights were given and correct the scoring error to preserve Yaretzi’s spot in the competition.
Albert had nothing to gain from that. In fact, had she been disqualified, it would have not had any effect on his RHS result. But that’s not the kind of man he is.
The Lesson
Too many times I’ve heard coaches say, “I just want what’s best for the kids”—and then turn around and sabotage dual-sport athletes or complain about kids not attending their off-season programs.
Albert Hernandez lives that statement. He does what’s best for the athlete. Even if it doesn’t benefit him. Even if it costs him time. Even if no one notices.
Well—this time, someone noticed.
Why It Matters
In a sport like powerlifting, where timing, mentality, and every pound counts, a coach’s presence is everything. Not just in preparing athletes for performance, but in protecting them, advocating for them, and helping them stay focused under pressure.
Coach Hernandez didn’t just coach his own athletes. He elevated the entire competition.
I’m not writing this to undermine anyone else—but to shine a spotlight where it’s due. Albert didn’t have to help. He chose to. And in doing so, he showed every coach in that room what real leadership looks like.
We need more coaches like Albert. Coaches who see beyond the scoreboard and support every kid, no matter what logo is on their shirt.
Coach Hernandez—Thank You
On behalf of Roswell CrossFit, and from everyone who watched you in action at state: thank you.
You didn’t just coach nine athletes—you coached all of us.
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Metabolic health
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Stress management
Food quality
Daily habits
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But it does have to be intentional.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re doing a lot but not getting results… it may not be that you need more.
You may just need simpler—and someone who won’t let you negotiate with yourself.
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