G. J. Kinne

Gary Joe "G.J." Kinne III (born December 1, 1988) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Hawaii. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He played college football at Tulsa. Kinne converted from quarterback to wide receiver in 2015 in hopes of making the Eagles roster in 2015, but failed to make the team. He was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 2016, and later signed with the Roughriders in June 2016 before moving into coaching.

G. J. Kinne
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Position:Offensive coordinator
Quarterbacks coach
Personal information
Born: (1988-12-01) December 1, 1988
Mesquite, Texas
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:Gilmer (TX)
College:Tulsa
Undrafted:2012
Career history
As player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Kinne was born in Mesquite, Texas, a suburb just east of Dallas, to Gary Joe Kinne and Jocelyne Carter. His father was a former standout linebacker at Baylor University and later an assistant coach at Allen High School, Kaufman High School, and was the defensive coordinator at Mesquite High School. In 2003, his father accepted the head coaching job at Canton High School in East Texas, a town about 70 miles east of Dallas. Kinne became the starting quarterback of the Eagle varsity football team as a freshman. In his first game against rival Grand Saline High School, Kinne played well and exhibited a strong arm and good accuracy despite a 20–13 loss. It would be a rare loss as he led Canton High to its first playoff victory since 1964 and finished the year as Class AAA area finalists with an 8–4 record. He was named All East Texas and was named The Tyler Morning Telegraph's East Texas Newcomer of the year. As a sophomore, he led CHS to another good season with an 8–2 record but narrowly missed the playoffs. In March 2017 he married Summer Dawn McCall, a former Tulsa cheerleader.

Attempted murder of father

In the spring of 2005, Kinne's father, who was also his coach at Canton High, was shot in the chest by the disgruntled parent of one of the players he coached. According to police reports, Jeffery Doyle Robertson, the father of a player who had often complained to coaches and administrators regarding the way his son was treated, walked into the Canton Fieldhouse and shot Coach Kinne at point blank range. Robertson then fled in his pickup truck and headed east towards Tyler, Texas. Kinne Sr. was on the phone with another coach who was at another school when he was shot. Kinne Jr. was taken by police into protective custody, and then told that his father had died when in fact he had survived despite being given only a 10% chance to live.[1][2] Robertson was later apprehended in an area north of Tyler near Interstate 20 where he had slashed his wrists in an apparent suicide attempt. Robertson was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[3]

Senior year

After the shooting, Kinne stayed one more year at Canton High School, leading the team to its best season in school history with a 12–2 record, losing to Tatum High School, the eventual state champion. After the 2005 season, Kinne's father, who had recovered from his wounds, was offered a job at Baylor University, which he accepted. Kinne then decided to move to Gilmer, Texas about 70 miles to the east of Canton, to live with his mother and step-father. The decision to move was controversial as many speculated that Kinne moved for athletic reasons, which is prohibited by the UIL, the governing body of Texas High school athletics. Kinne enrolled at Gilmer High School and became the starting quarterback, leading the Buckeyes to a 10-0 record, but was upset in the first round of the playoffs by Liberty-Eylau High School. He finished his career with 11,695 passing yards and 130 touchdown passes. He also rushed 3,327 yards with 48 touchdowns.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
G.J. Kinne
QB		 Gilmer, Texas Gilmer High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 4.6 Dec 28, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 38 (QB)   Rivals: 15 (QB), 58 (TX)  ESPN: 25 (QB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Texas Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  • "Texas College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012.

    Kinne committed to Texas on December 28, 2006.[4] Kinne also received football scholarships from Baylor, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Tennessee.[5]

    College career

    Kinne attended the University of Texas at Austin as a redshirt freshman in 2007, but was buried in the depth chart and decided to transfer. On May 7, 2008, he announced that he would transfer to the University of Tulsa.[6] After sitting out the 2008 season due to transfer rules, Kinne became the starting quarterback for the Golden Hurricane in 2009 and remained the starter throughout his career. He finished his career with 9,472 yards and 81 touchdowns, and was named most valuable player in the 2012 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

    Professional career

    New York Jets

    Kinne signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2012.[7] He was waived by the team on June 28.[8]

    Omaha Nighthawks

    Kinne joined the roster of the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League for their 2012 season. The United Football League folded later that year.[9]

    San Antonio Talons

    Kinne signed with the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League in December 2012.[10]

    Philadelphia Eagles

    On February 28, 2013, Kinne signed with the Philadelphia Eagles,[11] and he was released on August 30, 2013. On October 22, 2013 Kinne was re-signed to the Eagles practice squad because of injuries to both of its top quarterbacks, Michael Vick and Nick Foles.[12][13] Kinne was signed to a futures contract with the Eagles in January 2014. He was released on August 30, but signed to the practice squad the next day. Kinne signed a futures contract with the Eagles on December 30, 2014.[14] He converted to wide receiver in May 2015.[15] On Sunday, August 30, 2015, Kinne was again waived by the Eagles.

    New York Giants

    On September 9, 2015, Kinne was signed by the New York Giants and was placed on the practice squad.[16] On September 16, 2015, he was released by the Giants.[17] On September 30, 2015, he was re-signed to the Giants' practice squad.[18] On January 4, 2016, Kinne signed a reserve/future contract with the Giants.[19] On May 5, 2016, the Giants waived Kinne.[20]

    Calgary Stampeders

    Kinne signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on June 13, 2016.[21] Less than a week later, on June 19, 2016, Kinne was released by the team.[22]

    Saskatchewan Roughriders

    Signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) on June 24, 2016.[23] Kinne made his CFL debut in the final game of the 2016 CFL season, completing 4 of 11 pass attempts for 24 yards.[24] Kinne announced his retirement from professional football on May 9, 2017.[25]

    Coaching career

    Early coaching career

    In 2017, Kinne was hired as an assistant coach with SMU under coach Chad Morris. When Morris joined the University of Arkansas before SMU played in the Frisco Bowl, new head coach Sonny Dykes chose to have Kinne serve as offensive coordinator and play caller for the bowl game.[26][27] Kinne eventually followed Morris to Arkansas in 2018 as an offensive analyst.

    On February 25, 2019, Kinne was named an offensive assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, working with special projects.[28]

    Hawaii

    On January 31, 2020, it was announced that Kinne was leaving the Eagles to become the offensive coordinator for the University of Hawaii under head coach Todd Graham.[29]

    References
    1. Eric Bailey (August 5, 2009). "Shot of reality: Attack on father makes TU QB mentally tough". Tulsa World.
    2. Dan Hanzus (May 1, 2012). "G.J. Kinne comes to Jets with incredible backstory". www.nfl.com. NFL.
    3. Ed Thomas, Iowa Aplington-Parkersburg high school football coach, is shot to death - ESPN
    4. "G.J. Kinne". www.rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
    5. "G.J. Kinne Profile". www.scout.com. MSN. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
    6. "Down on depth chart, Texas QB Kinne to transfer to Tulsa". www.espn.go.com. ESPN.
    7. Jets Media Relations Department (April 30, 2012). "10 Undrafted FAs, 23 Tryouts Announced". New York Jets. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
    8. Vrentas, Jenny (June 28, 2012). "Jets waive G.J. Kinne and Ray Willis". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
    9. "5 former Huskers on Omaha Nighthawks roster". www.omaha.com. Omaha World Herald. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
    10. Richard Oliver (December 20, 2012). "Talons sign former Tulsa QB Kinne". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
    11. "Report: Eagles to sign QB Kinne". Yahoo! Sports. March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
    12. "Source: Eagles to add QB Kinne to prax squad", Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, October 21, 2013.
    13. "Eagles sign G.J. Kinne to practice squad", NJ.com, October 22, 2013.
    14. "G.J. Kinne". kffl.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
    15. Dutton, Neil (May 28, 2015). "EAGLES QB G.J. KINNE MAKES SWITCH TO WR". fantasypros.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
    16. Eisen, Michael (September 9, 2015). "Giants sign LB Jasper Brinkley, add 2 to practice squad". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
    17. Eisen, Michael (September 16, 2015). "Giants add three players to practice squad". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
    18. Eisen, Michael (September 30, 2015). "Giants add WR Tavarres King, QB G.J. Kinne to practice squad". Giants.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2015.
    19. Raanan, Jordan (January 4, 2016). "Giants sign 6 players to reserve/future contracts". NJ.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
    20. Eisen, Michael (May 5, 2016). "Giants waive TE Jerome Cunningham, safety G.J. Kinne". Giants.com. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
    21. "Stampeders make roster moves". Calgary Stampeders. June 13, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    22. "Calgary Stampeders' head coach Dave Dickenson explains final roster moves". Calgary Herald. June 21, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    23. "Roughriders add 2 more quarterbacks to roster". CBC News. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    24. "G.J. Kinne is ready to make his Saskatchewan Roughriders debut". Regina Leader-Post. November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    25. "Roughriders down to four quarterbacks". Regina Leader-Post. May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
    26. Grosbard, Adam (December 14, 2017). "SMU head coach Sonny Dykes on why he trusts graduate assistant G.J. Kinne to call plays in Frisco Bowl". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
    27. "Wednesday's college football: Louisiana Tech pounds SMU". The Detroit News. December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
    28. Gallen, Daniel (February 5, 2019). "Philadelphia Eagles news roundup: Super Bowl 54 odds, a coaching staff addition and more". Pennlive.com.
    29. Tsai, Stephen (January 31, 2020). "Hawaii hires GJ Kinne, former Philadelphia Eagles assistant, as new offensive coordinator". staradvertiser.com.
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