NEW ORLEANS, LA -- Texas State’s 21st Head Coach took the mainstage podium at the Sun Belt Conference’s Media Days alongside offensive lineman Nash Jones and safety Tory Spears. 

Skipping the fight song, Kinne walked out to Lil Baby's “Low Down” to kick off the afternoon portion of the SBC West Divisions slate of interviews.

As the Lone Texas school in the conference, Kinne says getting guys from the state of Texas to play ball in San Marcos was a top priority for his #TakeBackTexas recruiting model. 

“We’re Texas State University, you gotta have guys from Texas on the team,” Kinne said. “I think I’m a little biased, but I think Texas Highschool football is the best in the country, so we have to have those guys develop we have to have those guys on our team. So, really excited to continue to build those relationships across the state and recruit Texas Highschool football players.” 

At Incarnate Word, Kinne and his offensive coordinator, Mack Leftwich, who he recruited to follow him to Texas State, averaged 51 points per game with an aggressive downfield offense and high-tempo scheme.

One of the men tasked with locking that down at practice, redshirt senior safety Tory Spears. Who is listed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds. Spears says that he’s just ready to ball, but knows the other side of the team comes ready to compete every day.

“I know they’re going to come in ready to eat,” Spears said. “I’m just ready for them to come out. They’ve been ready, they’ve been doing extra work outside even after workouts when we’re dog-tired. They're out there running routes, throwing balls, they’re out there, so I know they’re ready to eat and compete.” 

Spears was also named the DCTF’s pre-season All-Texas Team

Nash Jones is one of the men that will be the foundation for that offense, tasked with protecting whatever quarterback is under center come September. Jones was one of five offensive linemen who turned in their red and black Cardinal jerseys to don the maroon and gold. He said so far, so far, getting the former UIW squad, Texas State holdovers and transfers to come together has come easy. 

“Just working hard with the teammates, doing that every single day, day in and day out,” Jones said. “When you’re feeling like crap and you’re still going through it, still doing what you have to do, you really start to grow close to one another … We’re a different Texas State.”  

The Sun Belt coaches picked Texas State to finish fifth in the West Division during the pre-season coaches poll ahead of only Arkansas State and UL-Monroe. Kinne says he isn’t focused on awards right now. 

“I think for us, new coaching staff, so many new faces, we have a lot of work to do,” Kinne said. “But, I’m confident in these guys. I think in this day in age in college football, theres guys that are picked for all conference teams and guys that aren’t picked for all conference teams that some might be the best players on their team. I’m really excited about our team and the direction we’re headed, I think we’re extremely talented on both sides of the ball. But, like we’ve said and like I’ve said previously, the chemistry part of it, bringing these guys together, how we’re going to handle adversity, those are the things that are probably going to make or break our season. But, to reiterate, really excited about this team and the preseason rankings are just that."

Kinne is poised to take the helm following Jake Spavital’s last season with the team, which saw the Bobcats finish below bowl eligibility at 4-8 overall and 2-6 in conference play. Texas State has yet to earn a berth since joining the FBS in 2012.

In a defense-heavy division and conference, Kinne says he expects the Bobcats to bring a unique style of play to the Sun Belt. 

The Sun Belt Conference is streaming the entire two-day event live on ESPN+. Dave Campbell's Republic of Football Network members Jakob Rodriguez and Andrew Zimmel will cover media days from their couches as part of their Squarin’ Around: A Texas State Sports Podcast coverage.