Kevin Kidder returns to the Hillsdale College baseball program for the 2026-2027 season as the Chargers' Mental Skills Coach, working with student-athletes on leadership, confidence, resilience, routines, and human performance.
A retired U.S. Army paratrooper, author, and entrepreneur, Kevin brings a unique blend of leadership, coaching, and real-world experience to the program. Kevin previously served as an assistant coach at Hillsdale in 2023, working primarily with the Chargers' catchers while assisting with recruiting and player development.
His coaching experience also includes serving as head varsity baseball coach at St. Frances Cabrini High School and head coach of the Michigan Monarchs of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. Over more than a decade of coaching at the youth, high school, collegiate, and summer collegiate levels, he has helped develop numerous athletes, including two players who were later selected in the MLB Draft.
Outside of baseball, Kevin served 20 years on active duty in the United States Army, completing six deployments that included assignments in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and at the Pentagon in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. He retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant and is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, an organization that recognizes noncommissioned officers who demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism, and commitment to their soldiers.
Kevin is the founder of Enduring Mindset Enterprise, a performance and leadership development company that works with athletes, teams, businesses, and organizations to cultivate resilience, leadership, and high-performance habits.
He is also the founder and president of the Enduring Mindset Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans successfully navigate life after military service. Through mentorship, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities in law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and music, the foundation helps veterans discover renewed purpose, professional growth, and meaningful community connections.
Kevin is the author of The Invisible Veteran: Rediscovering Purpose, Identity, and Connection After Service, published by Ballast Books in 2026.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University.
Drawing on his experiences in baseball, military leadership, entrepreneurship, and performance development, Kevin helps student-athletes develop the confidence, resilience, and leadership skills needed to overcome adversity, excel under pressure, and succeed both on and off the field.
