TXST locks up head coach GJ Kinne through 2031 season with extension

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State University wants to invest in the football program's future, and they'll do so with GJ Kinne as its head coach.

School officials announced Friday a 7-year contract extension with Kinne, and TXST president Kelly Damphousse said he has confidence that Kinne can make the program a consistent winner.

"Since his arrival, Coach Kinne has brought an incredible vision for what TXST football could be," he said. "From 1985 through 2022, TXST football had only seven winning seasons. We had only one winning season since joining FBS in 2012 and had averaged only 3.6 wins per year in FBS. His leadership has not only led us to a win in our first-ever bowl game but has also inspired a new level of pride and excitement throughout the Bobcat community."

Kinne led the Bobcats to an 8-win season last year capped by a 45-21 win over Rice in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. It was the first 8-win season for the program since 1983, and they'll have a chance to do it again this season after finishing the regular season 7-5. The Bobcats were 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference West Division, matching the program record for most conference wins as an FBS team. Texas State will know its bowl assignment after the conference championship games conclude and the College Football Playoff selection committee puts together the 12-team bracket Sunday.

Kinne's contract is good through the 2031 season.

"The administration and fan base have shown great support for this program, and I know the culture continues to head in the right direction," Kinne said. "I'm very excited about the future and appreciate everyone who has been involved with this program since I arrived on campus. I look forward to contributing to Texas State's success in the years to come."

The Bobcats finished the regular season ranked No. 6 among FBS teams with an average of 474.3 total yards of offense and No. 11 in scoring offense with 37.1 points per game.

Texas State athletic director Don Coryell said as the college football landscape undergoes drastic changes, he thinks Kinne is the right guy to help them navigate them.

"Having a strong leader like Coach Kinne is more important than ever," Coryell said. "His ability to recruit and identify top talent, adapt to the evolving landscape of college athletics, and ability to leverage those changes as opportunities to succeed set him apart."