SAN MARCOS- With the first game of the 2024 football season just a few weeks away, summer camp is in full swing as the Texas State Bobcats prepare for another promising season under head coach G.J. Kinne.
Kinne, entering his second season as the head coach of Texas State, has proven himself well-equipped for the role. The team made history last season by winning its first bowl game. The offseason proved favorable for the Bobcats, who successfully added several key players through the transfer portal, including Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Jordan McCloud. Kinne’s appeal as a coach is evident, as players are eager to join his program.
“I’m a players’ coach,” Kinne said. “They know I love them and I can joke around with them, but there is a time to work as well.”
As a young head coach, Kinne continues to grow alongside his players. Jordan McCloud, in particular, appreciates having a coach with a sharp mind and a relatable approach, which makes Kinne and his staff highly attractive to recruits.
Former Arkansas football head coach Frank Broyles once said, “Attitude, not aptitude, determines altitude,” meaning that an individual’s attitude can propel them further than their talent alone. Coach G.J. Kinne embodies this philosophy, maintaining a positive outlook and valuing his current position.
“There are a lot of people in the world dealing with much harder situations,” Kinne said. “Having that mindset and an attitude of gratitude every day, we can accomplish some really big things.”
With the home opener looming in the near future, the status of senior Tory Spears is still unknown. Spears, a 6-foot-4 safety coming off an ACL injury, is an important piece for this Texas State defense.
“Tory is looking really good, he could get cleared right now and go play a game,” Kinne said. ”We’re being cautious with him making sure that he’s all the way back, no need to rush right now.”
This year’s defensive line has the potential to be a significant asset for the Texas State Bobcats. Coach Kinne, who has a strong affinity for coaching the defensive line, appreciates their hard work and dedication. With the offense expected to be explosive this season, the defense might not receive as much recognition as it deserves.
“I’m a defensive line coach; those guys really get after it,” Kinne said. “We have big personalities in there and some really good players.”
Steven Parker, a redshirt senior who earned All-American honors while playing for Coach G.J. Kinne at the University of Incarnate Word in 2022, is poised to be a key addition to the defensive line at Texas State this season. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound lineman has had an unconventional football journey, starting to play in his junior year of high school. Initially uninterested in sports, Parker’s athletic potential became evident as he grew into his frame.
In his first year at Texas State, Parker aims to make a significant impact. His individual goals for the season are clearly defined.
“My personal goals are to be an All-American and to have a strong season,” Parker said. “I want to record ten or more sacks.
Texas State tight end Konner Fox showed flashes of his potential last season, recording ten catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. Despite suffering an injury early in the season that caused him to miss five games, Fox was still ranked as the sixth-best tight end in the Sun Belt Conference for run-blocking grades by Pro Football Focus (PFF). Fox has high expectations for his senior season.
“I want to be first-team All-Sun Belt; I want 30 catches,” Fox said. “We’re also a big target in the red zone, so I’m aiming for five or six touchdowns.”
An interesting aspect of Fox’s background is his experience with dyslexia, which he struggled with growing up. He looks up to NFL stars Travis Kelce and George Kittle, drawing inspiration from their play styles and incorporating elements of their games into his own.
As the Texas State Bobcats approach the 2024 football season, excitement is high under coach Kinne, who enters his second year after a historic bowl win. The team has bolstered its roster with key transfers like McCloud and looks to impactful players such as Parker and Fox. With Kinne’s positive leadership and the team’s blend of experience and talent, Texas State is poised for a promising season, building on past successes and aiming for new achievements.
