TXST Release:
SAN MARCOS, Texas – After leading Texas State to its first ever bowl game and tying the program’s FBS record for wins in a season, head football coach GJ Kinne has signed a contract extension through the 2028 season, Texas State Athletics announced on Thursday.
Kinne, 35, led Texas State to one of its most exciting seasons in over a decade in his first year at the helm of the program. The Bobcats earned their first win over a “Power 5” program, finished tied for second in the Sun Belt West Division, and will play in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl against Rice on Dec. 26 with an opportunity to set the program’s FBS record for wins in a single season.
“Don Coryell and I share high aspirations for athletics in general and football in particular,” said Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse. “We know that investing in facilities like the Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center and the proposed practice facility was only half the solution. Investing in our personnel at a competitive level is just as vital. Coach Kinne has recruited student-athletes to not just build a team for today, but a program for tomorrow. His new contract and extension bring the stability we all need to continue building our football program as we seek to contend for conference championships and a spot in future College Football Playoffs. I’m excited to watch him and his staff to continue to Take Back Texas!”
“Since day one of Coach Kinne leading our football program, it was apparent he was the right guy for the job,” said Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell. “We’ve been impressed with his leadership and ability to quickly establish a culture that elevates the experience of our student-athletes. From bringing in our best newcomer class ever to making our first bowl game to him earning attention from national awards, Coach Kinne has achieved a good amount in year one and this contract extension represents our belief in him to take us to the top of the Sun Belt Conference and beyond.”
The Bobcats have excelled in all three phases under Kinne and his staff in 2023. Entering the bowl season, the offense was 10th in the nation in total offense and 17th in scoring offense while the defense led the country in tackles for loss and was ninth in sacks. On special teams, the Bobcats returned two kickoffs for touchdowns – a first for the Bobcats since 2013 – and kicker Mason Shipley tied the school record for most field goals made in a season.
“I appreciate President Damphousse and Don Coryell for their commitment and trust in not only me, but in our entire staff, student-athletes, and program,” said Kinne. “It was just over a year ago where the three of us shared our aligned vision for Texas State football, and we have been able to achieve some of those things we discussed. We’re proud of the team reaching a bowl game and excited for all of Bobcat Nation to celebrate this great moment for our program in Dallas next week, but we believe we can win championships at Texas State. Our goal is to continue to take this program to new heights and build on this year’s success.”
While the Bobcats have been among the nation’s best in several categories, Kinne and Texas State have rewritten the program’s FBS record books by setting double-digit team and individual records in 2023.
The Bobcats went 5-1 at home this season and set a single-season attendance record at Bobcat Stadium. Texas State clinched its first winning season since 2014 and also went 6-2 within the state of Texas.
Texas State’s individual honors from 2023 are highlighted by All-American Ismail Mahdi. The running back and kick returner was named a first team All-American by CBS Sports/247Sports and a second team All-American by four different organizations: Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), ESPN, The Athletic, and Phil Steele. Mahdi became the second Bobcat to earn multiple All-America distinctions in a season in the program’s FBS history.
The Bobcats also had seven All-Sun Belt honors and four honorable mentions, including first teamers Mahdi and Shipley.
Kinne was one of 26 coaches named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award Watch List in October, which is the nation’s top honor for college football head coaches.
Kinne, who is the third-youngest coach at the FBS level, was named the 21st head coach in Texas State football history on Dec. 2, 2022.
