Welp
Not what I wanted to write, but I'm writing it
Jakob Rodriguez
November 25, 2024
You know I had such a sick ass way to start this newsletter off.
Headline: “The Sleeping Giant Is Awake and Moving”
I had written about 200-300 words about how Texas State went from the joke of the Sun Belt Conference (in football) to being set to make G.J. Kinne the highest-paid coach in the league.
Still waiting on the contract but here is the moment the TSUS board of regents approved the motion to OK the special employment contract between #TXST and Kinne with words from @kdamp#SquarinAround#EatEmUp
Seven-year term confirmed, still waiting on full details.
— Squarin’ Around: A Texas State Sports Podcast (@SquarinPod)
2:02 AM • Nov 22, 2024
I'm reading this blurry screen grab from the regent's meeting, but some basic terms:
- 7-year term, runs through 2031
- Contract dollar amount not to exceed $14M in base compensation
- Can see up to $15M in academic/ athletic performance incentives@SquarinPod
— Jakob R. Rodríguez (@JakobRyRod)
5:02 AM • Nov 22, 2024
Womp, womp, enter Saturday, another game I said we would win convincingly that we did not.
Georgia State put belt to ass on Saturday, on senior night of all nights. Not a great look. This loss to me feels eerily similar to the one against Sam Houston State. We had a national headline about a potential change in conferences and then we show up flat against a team we were favored to beat. See what I mean?
What gives you may ask? Idk, but I refuse to take any responsibility for the team’s actions on the field. The second I miss a block, okay, blame me. But apart from that, me talking mess about literally every team in the Sun Belt on a podcast is not the big issue.
In the post-game press conference G.J. brought up discipline and execution, this team plain and simple failed to execute. Are they getting trapped in headlines and podcasts and this new age of college football? Maybe so, but I also like what Kinne said in today’s Sun Belt Conference Media availability: “Everyone has given us their best shot.”
It’s true and a little narcissistic, but still true.
The Bobcats were picked to finish first in the West in the SBC poll, last year they were picked to finish 5th. I’ve had conversations with other coaches, players and administration leaders before where they say they’d rather be picked last.
Going from beating Baylor last year with basically no expectations to hoping and praying this team could make a long-shot College Football Playoffs berth this year has been a mental marathon.
But we’ve stuck it out thus far and still have our last mid-week game against South Alabama this week. Kickoff 2:30 P.M. on Friday. When it rains it pours.
This week on the show we’re talking to University President Kelly Damphousse all about realignment stuff, so don’t miss it, we’re bringing the heat!
Thanks for Squarin’