In a bold statement of intent, Texas State University is finalizing a monumental seven-year contract extension for head football coach GJ Kinne, sources close to the program revealed Thursday. The deal, set to make Kinne the highest-paid coach in the Sun Belt Conference, marks a pivotal moment for a Bobcats program eager to elevate its status on the national stage.
Record-Breaking Financial Commitment
Under the terms of the new agreement, Kinne is poised to earn an average of $2 million per year over the course of the seven-year deal, catapulting him to the top of the Sun Belt coaching salary hierarchy. The financial commitment is a resounding vote of confidence in the 34-year-old coach, who has engineered a remarkable turnaround in San Marcos since taking the reins in 2023.
Texas State officials approved the groundbreaking contract in a board meeting Thursday, paving the way for Kinne to put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him in maroon and gold through the 2031 season. The move sends a clear message that the Bobcats are serious about competing at the highest level and are willing to invest heavily in the football program’s future.
A Program on the Rise
Since arriving at Texas State, Kinne has compiled an impressive 14-9 record, leading the Bobcats to back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history. His tenure has been marked by signature victories, including a stunning 42-31 upset of Baylor in 2023, which announced the program’s arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the Lone Star State.
“What Coach Kinne has accomplished in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable,” a high-ranking Texas State official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the contract negotiations. “He’s changed the culture, raised expectations, and has our fan base dreaming of championships. We believe he’s the right man to lead us into the future, and this contract reflects that belief.”
Kinne’s meteoric rise through the coaching ranks has been a testament to his innovative offensive mind, relentless work ethic, and ability to connect with players. A former standout quarterback at Tulsa, he cut his teeth as an assistant under coaching luminaries such as Art Briles and Dabo Swinney before landing his first head coaching gig at Texas State.
Elevated Expectations
With a lucrative new contract in hand, the pressure will be on Kinne to deliver results commensurate with his lofty compensation. Texas State’s decision to stand pat in the Sun Belt during the recent wave of conference realignment was a calculated gamble, hinging largely on the belief that Kinne could transform the Bobcats into a perennial contender in the league.
The 2024 season will offer an immediate test of that hypothesis, as Texas State navigates a treacherous Sun Belt schedule featuring clashes with Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, and Louisiana. With just two regular season games remaining, the Bobcats sit at 6-4, needing one more win to secure a third straight postseason berth.
The Road Ahead
As the ink dries on Kinne’s landmark deal, the college football world will be watching intently to see if the rising star coach can live up to the hype—and the hefty price tag. With a talented young roster and a renewed sense of purpose, Texas State appears poised to make noise in the Sun Belt for years to come.
But in a sport where the only constant is change, nothing is guaranteed. Will Kinne’s Midas touch continue to yield gold in the unforgiving crucible of college football? Only time will tell. For now, though, one thing is certain: The sleeping giant in San Marcos has awoken, and the rest of the Sun Belt is officially on notice.
