As Oklahoma State football prepares for a new chapter following the departure of longtime head coach Mike Gundy, one name rising through the rumor mill stands out: Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne. A fast-rising star in the coaching ranks, Kinne brings the kind of offensive innovation, recruiting savvy, and energy that could make him a perfect fit in Stillwater.
From Quarterback to Coach: Kinne’s Rapid Rise
Kinne’s coaching journey is marked by steady progress and impressive results. A former quarterback who played at Texas and Tulsa, Kinne had a brief professional playing career, spending time on NFL practice squads before transitioning into coaching. He broke in as a graduate assistant in 2017 at Georgia and later worked as an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. From there, he climbed quickly. After stints as an offensive coordinator and analyst at various programs, Kinne took over as head coach at Incarnate Word in 2022. In just one season, he led the program to a Southland Conference title and a deep playoff run, putting himself on the national radar.
A Program-Changer at Texas State
That success landed him the head coaching job at Texas State, and what he’s done there in a short span has been nothing short of remarkable. When Kinne arrived, Texas State had never won a bowl game and was averaging just 21 points per game. In his first season, he completely overhauled the offense, pushing it to over 36 points per game, setting school records, and delivering the Bobcats their first-ever bowl victory. He followed that up with another 8-5 season in year two, making Texas State bowl-eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time in over a decade. His overall head coaching record now sits at 31-13, including a perfect 2-0 mark in bowl games.
What Makes Kinne a Fit for Oklahoma State
What makes Kinne especially intriguing for Oklahoma State isn’t just the wins — it’s the way he’s winning. His offenses are dynamic, fast-paced, and difficult to prepare for. He has a knack for building systems that maximize talent quickly, and his teams consistently play with energy and purpose. That kind of innovation could inject fresh life into Oklahoma State’s program, especially in an evolving Big 12 landscape where creative play-calling and quick adaptability are key.
Kinne also brings deep Texas recruiting ties and has shown he can work the transfer portal and NIL landscape effectively. In today’s college football environment, being able to recruit and retain talent is as important as game-day play calling, and Kinne appears to have a solid grasp on both. His age and energy also make him more relatable to modern players, and he’s shown the ability to build player-first cultures that still hold athletes accountable. He could lead a complete renovation of the roster in 2026 leading to a fast turnaround using the transfer portal and NIL. OSU has to promise him the proper resources in the process so he feels set up for success. Whether it is players following him over from Texas State or elsewhere, players will follow. First year could look like what Coach Cignetti did with Indiana predominantly getting guys from his former school and then in year 2 after success, other big potential players buy-in.
Fair Questions, Big Potential
Of course, there are questions that come with any rising coach making the jump to a Power Five program. Can Kinne’s offensive success in the Sun Belt translate against tougher Big 12 defenses? Can he build a strong enough staff around him to handle the increased scrutiny and expectations? Will the transition come with early growing pains? These are fair concerns, but Kinne’s trajectory so far suggests he has the poise and leadership to handle those challenges.
Perhaps the most compelling part of Kinne’s candidacy is his ability to revitalize programs quickly. He’s not just winning — he’s changing the identity of the teams he leads. That’s exactly what Oklahoma State will be looking for as it turns the page. In a competitive coaching market, where many candidates offer familiarity or experience, Kinne offers something different: momentum, vision, and the potential for long-term growth.
Time to bet on the future
If Oklahoma State wants to bet on the future and hire a coach who blends football IQ with modern adaptability, G.J. Kinne could be a bold but brilliant move. All signs suggest he’s not just ready for the next step, he’s built for it.