CW hires new football coach

Gary Kinne is introduced as the new Clovis West director of football April 3.

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Gary Kinne was named the new Clovis West director of football April 3.

"It was a big decision for my family, and we felt like this was a great opportunity," Kinne said. "We're very excited to be here. We heard a lot about this community. It's a great place to raise a family and to coach football. We know about the academic and athletic excellence of the school district, and we're extremely pleased to be here and get started."

Kinne, a Texas native who will also teach physical education, comes to Clovis Unified after serving the past two seasons as the linebackers coach at Baylor University. Before coaching at his alma mater, Kinne, 40, served three years as the head coach and athletic director at Canton High in Canton, Texas.

In three seasons at Canton, Kinne's teams went a combined 28-8, highlighted by a school-record 12-2 showing and Canton's first district title in 41 years in 2005. Kinne, who made national headlines after being shot by the parent of one of his players in April of that year, was named 2005 Adams USA National Head Coach of the Year, 2005 Fox Sports Southwest Class 3A Coach of the year and District 15-3A Coach of the Year.

"Gary is a strong leader, motivator and educator," said incoming Clovis West principal Ben Drati. "He is a man of integrity and understands the value of education and student involvement."

Kinne, an all-conference linebacker at Baylor, replaces Marty Martin who was fired in January after one season. Martin led the Golden Eagles to a 9-4-1 record and a runner-up finish in the Central Section.

Kinne and his wife, Laurie, have three children, G.J., 19, Kellie, 10, and Landry, 7.