Staff continuity is an issue that both successful programs and struggling ones share, although for different reasons.
Texas State avoided that problem, for the most part, by busting out its checkbook to retain the majority of its successful coaching staff for the 2024 season following an 8-5 campaign. The few coaches the Bobcats lost after the season were met with what could be considered upgrades, bringing in coaches with a wealth of experience to mentor a relatively young one.
With expectations raised to an all-time high in San Marcos, let’s take a look at the Texas State coaching staff for 2024.
Texas State Bobcats’ Coaching Staff
Head Coach: G.J. Kinne
At just 35 years old, G.J. Kinne has quickly ascended the college ranks with a 20-7 record in his first two seasons at the helm — 12-2 at Incarnate Word in 2022 and 8-5 at Texas State in 2023. Kinne guided the Bobcats to the program’s first bowl invitation and first bowl win, beating the Rice Owls 45-21 in the First Responder’s Bowl.
Kinne has demonstrated a knack for thriving with journeymen QBs. Following stops at LSU (2016), East Mississippi (2017), Missouri (2018), and Nicholls St. (2019-2021), Lindsey Scott Jr. won the 2022 Walter Payton Award playing behind center for Incarnate Word. At Texas State, Kinne brought in former LSU and Auburn starter T.J. Finley, who started all 13 games in 2023 and reset the program’s single-season passing record at 3,439 yards.
After signing a restructured contract that raised his pay from $800,000 a year to $1 million, Kinne will be back with the same team for a consecutive season for the first time as a coach. He started as a GA at SMU (2017), an OA at Arkansas (2018), an offensive special assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles (2019), OC/QB coach at Hawaii (2020), and co-OC/QB coach at UCF (2021).
Before embarking on a coaching career, Kinne threw for 9,472 yards and 82 touchdowns at Tulsa (2008-2011). He had short stints in the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets (2012), the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2015), and the New York Giants (2015).
Offensive Coordinator: Mack Leftwich
The architect behind the high-powered offenses led by Kinne, Mack Leftwich has been his play-caller as OC/QB coach at Incarnate Word in 2022 and OC at Texas State. Like Kinne, he’s had meteoric rise as an assistant at just 29 years old, significantly improving the Bobcats offense in 2023, while leading the FCS in scoring at Incarnate Word in 2022 (50.1 points per game).
Leftwich jumped into collegiate coaching as a GA at Incarnate Word in 2018 after playing QB at UTEP from 2013-2016. He was promoted to QB coach from 2019-2021 before taking over as OC when Kinne was hired. He has coached four All-Americans in his short career — QB Jon Copeland (2018-2019), QB Cam Ward (2021), QB Lindsey Scott Jr. (2022), and RB Ismail Mahdi (2023).
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties: Dexter McCoil
When DC Jonathan Patke left Texas State for Duke in the same role, Dexter McCoil was the next man up for the Bobcats, taking on an additional co-DC title while remaining the safeties coach. It was quite the jump for a coach who made his collegiate coaching debut in 2022 as the safeties coach at Incarnate Word, but McCoil’s experience on the field weighed heavier than his off it.
After teaming up with Kinne at Tulsa (2009-2012), McCoil played professionally in the CFL and the NFL for eight seasons. He played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016-2017) and San Francisco 49ers (2017-2018) while winning the Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015.
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Bradley Dale Peveto
One of the most experienced coaches on Texas State’s staff with over 30 years in the college game, Bradley Dale Peveto was brought in this offseason to help offset the loss of Patke, while guiding a younger coach in McCoil.
A former head coach at Northwestern State (2009-2012), Peveto has coached on the defensive side of the ball for 13 college teams, with stints as a co-DC at Houston (1999-2002) and LSU (2008), with full DC terms at Middle Tennessee (2003-2004) and UTEP (2021-2023).
Special Teams Coordinator/Associate Head Coach: Daniel Da Prato
One of four former college QBs on staff, Daniel Da Prato enters his second year with the Bobcats in charge of special teams. Texas State kicker Mason Shipley went a perfect 14-14 on FGAs last year with Da Prato manning special teams duties.
MORE: 2024 Sun Belt Power Rankings
The former ULM QB (2002-2003) has 20 years coaching college football, with stints as the WR/ST coach at Sac State (2010-2012), ST coach at Montana State (2013-2015), and ST coach at USF (2020-2022).
Corners: Matthew Gregg
Entering his second year with the Bobcats, Matthew Gregg was a linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator at Kilgore College in 2018 before moving over to Incarnate Word as secondary coach from 2019-2022. Gregg helped improve the Bobcats’ secondary with 11 interceptions last season while being commended as one of the top recruiters on staff.
Defensive Line: Mike O’Guin
A former DL at SMU (2010-2011), Mike O’Guin enters his second season with the Bobcats. O’Guin started as a student assistant at SMU before joining Texas Tech’s staff as a GA in 2019 and then as a DL assistant at Notre Dame. He then became DL coach at Sam Houston from 2020-2022 before joining the Bobcats.
Tight Ends: Will Bryant
One of several coaches to follow Kinne from Incarnate Word, Bryant heads into his second season in charge of the TEs at Texas State. He started his career coaching with the current Bobcats head coach as GAs at SMU (2015-2017) and then again as a senior analyst at Arkansas (2018-2019).
He got his first on-field job under his current boss as TE coach at Incarnate Word in 2022.
Offensive Line: Jordan Shoemaker
A former OL with the Houston Cougars (2006-2010), Jordan Shoemaker started his coaching career as a GA (2012-2014) and analyst (2015-2016) for the Baylor Bears. After one season coaching high school, he took over as the OL at Incarnate Word from 2018-2022 before following Kinne to San Marcos in the same role. He also coordinates the run game for the Bobcats.
Wide Receiver: Chad Morris
A legendary Texas high school football coach and a polarizing collegiate one, Chad Morris joined the Texas State staff this offseason, filling a vacancy left by WR coach Craig Stutzmann’s acceptance of the OC job at San Jose State.
KEEP READING: Projected 2024 Texas State Bobcats Depth Chart
He had a 180-41 record as a 16-year high school head coach and 18-40 as the head coach at SMU (2015-2017, 14-22) and Arkansas (2018-2019, 4-18). Morris developed a relationship with Kinne at SMU and Arkansas early in the Texas State head coach’s career.
Running backs: Barrick Nealy
The return of the prodigal son, Barrick Nealy is back in San Marcos for his first season as RBs coach. Nealy was an All-American QB for the Bobcats in 2005, guiding Texas State to the Division I-AA (FCS) semifinals.
He played five seasons for the Calgary Stampede (2006-2010) before starting his coaching career guiding the WRs at San Marcos Baptist Academy (2011-2017). He made the jump to college, coaching the RBs at UTEP from 2020-2023.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!