SAN MARCOS, Texas — Texas G.J. Kinne has high expectations for Texas State football as he takes over as head coach. 

The fast-rising, 34-year-old coach moves to San Marcos from San Antonio, where he led the University of Incarnate Word program for one season. 

"We wanna be in bowl games. We wanna be in championships. We wanna be in the college football playoffs," Kinne said. "That’s the reason I chose to come here.”

Kinne is the 21st coach in program history. He takes over a team that's had only one winning season in 10 years as an FBS program.

“We talk about habits reflecting the mission. That will be on the back of our shirts. It will be everywhere in our building," Kinne said. "Our mission is being champions. Champions in competitions, champions in the classroom and champions in the community.”

That philosophy has worked at UIW. The Cardinals are in the FCS quarterfinals for the first time in school history, with the most prolific offense in college football. 

“It was very important for us to hire someone with head coaching experience," said Texas State Director of Athletics Don Coryell. "We wanted somebody who’s done this before. Somebody who’s won on their own, managed their own games, and learned first hand from their experiences.”

Kinne's vision for the Texas State program includes a big focus on recruiting Texas high school players. That was not the case with former coach Jake Spavital, who was fired in November after four seasons. 

"I've been around a bunch of different states and coached in a bunch of different states, but Texas high school football is king," Kinne said. "We’re gonna recruit Texas high school football players and coaches alike. We’re gonna bridge that relationship.”

Connections in the Lone Star State for a Texas native who's found his new home in San Marcos.

“I believe in this place. I believe in this leadership," Kinne said. "I always knew if the right guy got this job, you better watch out.”