From a high school tragedy to leading collegiate football programs
In short: In 2005, Gary Joe Kinne III faced a devastating reality when his father was shot at point blank range. Despite being told his father had died, the young quarterback witnessed a miraculous recovery. Today, Kinne has transformed that personal hardship into a prolific career as a high-level collegiate football coach.
The trajectory of Gary Joe Kinne III's life was forever altered in the spring of 2005. While coaching at Canton High School, Kinne Sr. was shot in the chest by a disgruntled parent, Jeff Doyal Robertson, inside the school fieldhouse. Kinne Jr. was initially told his father had died, though the elder Kinne survived despite being given only a 10% chance of survival.
This trauma preceded a highly successful playing career. Kinne played for the Texas Longhorns and the University of Tulsa, where he was named the 2010 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. His professional journey included stints with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and several teams in the CFL and UFL, eventually leading him to transition from player to coach.
Kinne has since established himself as a formidable strategist. As the head coach at the University of the Incarnate Word, he led the Cardinals to a Southland Conference championship and a 12–2 record in 2022. His offensive unit was statistically dominant, ranking No. 1 in both NCAA Division I – FBS and FCS in points and yardage per game. Now the head coach at Texas State University, Kinne continues to build on this momentum, having recently signed a seven-year contract to lead the program.
His coaching lineage traces back to Gus Malzahn, who recruited him to Tulsa. Kinne's ability to develop talent was evidenced in 2022 when his quarterback, Lindsey Scott Jr., won the Walter Payton Award.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: G. J. Kinne
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