Aug. 29, 2007

Editor's Note: Leading up to Baylor's Sept. 1 opener at TCU, baylorbears.com will be interviewing each of the Bears' assistant football coaches for insight into the position that they coach and the prospects for the 2007 season. This is the sixth of nine interviews heading into the TCU game.

A standout middle linebacker at Baylor from 1986 through 1989 who went on to become a highly successful high school football coach in the Lone Star state, Gary Kinne returned to his alma mater as linebackers coach in January 2006.

His first season on the Baylor sideline saw redshirt freshman linebacker Joe Pawelek earn first-team Freshman All-America honors and second-team All-Big 12 recognition from the league's coaches. Selected as The Associated Press' 2006 Defensive Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, Pawelek also earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors from several media outlets after leading the Bears in tackles (86). In fact, Kinne's linebackers ranked first, second and sixth on the squad in tackles.

Kinne returned to his alma mater from Canton [Texas] High School, where he had served as head football coach and athletic director since 2003. Selected as the 2005 Adams USA National Head Coach of the Year, Kinne guided Canton to a 12-2 record and the regional finals of the 2005 Class 3A playoffs. In addition to the national award, bestowed upon the nation's top prep football coach that has not only won on the field but who also serves as a positive influence to America's youth, Kinne was also named both the 2005 Fox Sports Southwest Class 3A Coach of the Year and the District 15-3A Coach of the Year after recovering from an April 2005 gunshot wound to guide the Eagles to a school-record 12 victories and their first district title in some 41 years.

Before being introduced as Canton's head coach and athletic director, Kinne spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Mesquite (Texas) High School, where he served as defensive coordinator in his final year. He spent one season as an assistant coach at Allen High School and three years at Kaufman High School, the last two as defensive coordinator.

A four-year letterman for coach Grant Teaff's Bears (1986-89), Kinne earned 1988 All-Southwest Conference honors as a middle linebacker after leading the Baylor defense in tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions and fumble recoveries. He ranks as the eighth-leading tackler in school history with 323 stops and his 144 career assisted tackles stand sixth on the Baylor all-time chart. The Bears posted three winning seasons during Kinne's playing career and won the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1986 to finish 12th in the final Associated Press poll.

Here are Coach Kinne's thoughts on the Baylor linebacker corps, which may well be the strength of the Bears' 2007 defense.

What have the linebackers shown you thus far in fall camp?

Kinne: "We are starting to develop some leadership skills. They've got to be ready for the challenge and step up, and I think they are doing that."

How are the veterans developing?

Kinne: "They are really developing. Antonio Jones is coming on and becoming a leader. He's always been a great player, but now he's starting to understand. Nick Moore, being a senior, is naturally looked upon as a leader. And Joe Pawelek who has obviously done a lot for us is going into his second year and is doing a great job."

How do you see Joe Pawelek progressing this year?

Kinne: "He is just picking up where he left off. He's not wanting to rest on his laurels. He is wanting to get our there and do whatever it takes to get better everyday. He is definitely the rock for us on defense."

Talk about the freshmen Earl Patin and Chris Francis.

Kinne: "Well, you know they are going to be special players. They really are. They just need to understand that everything comes in time. Everything is easy for them athletically, but they need to pick up the system and learn what to do. Once they figure that out, those guys have unlimited ability."

Who has been your most improved player since the spring?

Kinne: "I'd say the most improved would be Antonio Jones. He's a guy that really has stepped up this fall especially and stepped his game up. I think of him as a starter. He and Nick are right there starting together."

What are you emphasizing to make the linebackers better?

Kinne: "We need to create more turnovers as a unit, and I think that starts with us. Games in which we create turnovers, we usually do pretty well. You know the Colorado game, Joe made a big play. Anytime we can force fumbles or get an interception or force any kind of turnover, then we are going to play pretty good on defense."

This is your second year here in Waco, how are you enjoying it?

Kinne: "Oh, I love it. It's home to me. My wife and family love being here in Waco and I can't think of being anywhere else."

Coming Thursday: Offensive line coach Eric Schnupp