UCLA Coaching Candidate Profile: G.J. Kinne

Meet the Texas State program builder who may do the same in Westwood.

Sep 13, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach G. J. Kinne during a time out in the first quarter of the game between Arizona State Sun Devils and Texas State Bobcats. Mandatory Credit: Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images | Arianna Grainey-Imagn Images

The search is on for the next UCLA Bruins head coach following the dismissal of DeShaun Foster after just 15 games.

This next hire is one of the most important in recent history. As the Bruins continue to struggle in the Big Ten, it's important that UCLA leaders find the right guy who can build a long-lasting culture in Westwood.

So, we're going to go through some of the best candidates for the job, moving on to Texas state head coach G.J. Kinne.

Meet G.J. Kinne

Kinne has been lauded as one of the best rebuilders in college football. Before taking over Texas State in 2022, the Bobcats hadn't had a winning season in nine seasons.

Jan 3, 2025; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne celebrates with the trophy after the game against the North Texas Mean Green at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Since being hired, Texas State has won two consecutive bowl games and is off to a 2-1 start in the 2025 season. In the early stages of the coaching carousel, Kinne is a name being mentioned frequently.

At the ripe age of 36, Kinne already has more coaching experience than former Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster, with a proven resume of program change.

Kinne's Coaching Experience

Kinne, leading up to his head coaching gig with the Bobcats, seemingly upgraded his status every year since being a graduate assistant in 2017.

• 2023 - Present: Texas State -- Head Coach
• 2022: Incarnate Word -- Head Coach
• 2021: UCF -- Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
• 2020: Hawaii -- Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
• 2019: Philadelphia Eagles -- Offensive Special Projects
• 2018: Arkansas -- Offensive Analyst
• 2017: SMU -- Graduate Assistant

As soon as Kinne took the helm in Texas State, he immediately made an impact on the roster, bringing in 71 total new players in the summer of 2023. Kinne's first game as head coach went about as well as one would hope, giving the Bobcats their first win over a Power Five team with a win over Baylor.

Dec 26, 2023; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas State Bobcats head coach GJ Kinne holds up the trophy after his team defeated the Rice Owls at Gerald J Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

That same season, Texas State finished 8-5 and capped off Kinne's first year with a 45-21 win over Rice in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas.

If Kinne can bring that type of immediate impact to Westwood, he can prove to be one of the best hires in recent program history.

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