SAN MARCOS - GJ Kinne has heard the noise before, and he’s hearing it again.
With Baylor in the market after firing Dave Aranda last week, Texas State’s head coach has seen his name surface as a possible candidate. Kinne isn’t biting.
“Probably won’t address it … I mean, this is year four of it happening,” Kinne said.
That kind of chatter has followed him since he arrived at Texas State in 2022 at age 34, fresh off a 12-2 season at Incarnate Word and already carrying a reputation as a bright offensive mind. At Texas State, he’s backed up the buzz.
The Bobcats have averaged 35 points a game in each season since he was hired, won their first bowl game in his debut year and have added two more bowl wins since then. They’ve also finished above .500 every season under his watch.
Now, with Texas State sitting at 4-3, the focus is on what comes next on the schedule - and it’s a serious test. The Bobcats are set to face Boise State and Oregon State, the two top Pac-12 teams in the coming weeks. Boise State arrives at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Pac-12, while Oregon State is 5-2 and also 3-0.
Boise State, in particular, has Kinne’s attention. The Broncos have been one of the country’s steadiest mid-major programs, winning the Mountain West title seven times in the past 15 years and entering this season as favorites to win the Pac-12.
“Everyone thinks its about the first round picks and the BCS bowls,” Kinne said. “It’s really about their process, their discipline and how they go about their everyday life on and off the field.”
Texas State’s season has already offered plenty of extremes. The offense can light up a scoreboard, but the Bobcats have also had losses that left little easy explanation.
Last week’s 20-17 win over Utah State looked different. It was tighter, cleaner and maybe, finally, a little more grown up.
That kind of finish could matter later. If Texas State catches fire down the stretch, the buzz around Kinne’s future could rise again.
He’s not the only coach getting mentioned either. UTSA’s Jeff Traylor, who has the Roadrunners off to a 7-1 start, is also being watched.
For Kinne, though, there’s no interest in entertaining the speculation right now.
“I love this place, and we’re working on Boise State. I can promise you I can’t think about anything else or we’ll get killed,” Kinne said.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Suddenly Has A Tough Iowa State Decision To Make
Oklahoma States first player availability report for the Iowa State game offered an early look at how thin the margin can get late in the season. Tight end Carson Kolb will miss the matchup after suffering a left foot injury against Colorado, while safety Quinton Hammonds, wide receiver Dayvon Standard and defensive tackle Landon Dean are listed as questionable. Cornerback Beni Ngoyi, defensive end Caden Crawford and defensive tackle Ka'Mori Moore are already ruled out, giving the Cowboys a short list of healthy options at several spots.
That leaves Eric Morris and his staff sorting through the tight end depth chart with more urgency than they likely wanted heading into a game that already carries plenty of weight. Morris addressed the injury situation and said lineup changes are on the table at tight end, where Oklahoma State will need to piece together a plan without Kolb and manage the ripple effects elsewhere on offense. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State's Defensive Rebuild Is Starting To Turn Heads In Recruiting
Oklahoma States defensive rebuild is starting to pick up real momentum on the recruiting trail, and the latest additions suggest the staff is getting traction beyond just plugging needs. Cornerback Jlynnd Kellow, a three-star prospect from Willis High School in Texas, and linebacker Bryson Brown of Stillwater, Oklahoma, both joined the class after backing away from prior commitments, giving the Cowboys a pair of defensive pledges with some local and regional appeal.
For a program trying to show progress under new defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity, those kinds of flips matter because they signal confidence in what the staff is selling. Kellow had been headed to Mississippi State, while Brown had been committed to Baylor, and Oklahoma States ability to pull both into the fold gives the defensive class a little more weight as the rebuild continues to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State's Recruiting Surge Just Picked Up Another Intriguing Sign
Bryson Browns decision gives Oklahoma State another notable win on the recruiting trail, and it comes with a bit of local flavor. The linebacker from Stillwater had been on Baylors commitment list before ending up with the Cowboys, a move that adds to the sense that Oklahoma States momentum under Eric Morris is starting to show up beyond the field.
Brown is the second defensive player to commit to Oklahoma State in recent days, giving the Cowboys a noticeable lift on that side of the ball. The timing matters, too, with Baylor moving on from Dave Aranda and Oklahoma States strong start under its new coach helping create a more appealing picture for recruits who are looking at stability, opportunity and a program on the rise. [Read more 🡒]