Killough setting new foundation for Incarnate Word
With the start of the early signing period arriving less than a week after he became Incarnate Word's head coach Dec. 15, Clint Killough welcomed just four players during the initial window.
As Killough settled in through January, the Cardinals aimed to reload after a recordsetting 2022 by adding 14 transfers, including former Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada among a group of six newcomers from Power Five programs.
UIW also solidified its staff, selecting five offensive coaches under age 30 — including three with experience under USC coach Lincoln Riley — while landing a veteran defensive coordinator in Jim Gush.
With the new foundation taking hold, Killough indicated last month that the start of the regular signing period Wednesday might be the Cardinals' chance to continue building the roster from the high school ranks.
“I would look for a good, solid high school signing class in February,” Killough said. “At the same time, the name of the game with the transfer portal and everything, you have to bring transfers who can come in and contribute. We'll utilize both.”
UIW has experienced the downside of the transfer portal this cycle, with six players — including three starting offensive linemen — following former coach G.J. Kinne to Texas State. Standout safety Elliott Davison landed at UTSA, with others from the 2022 UIW roster still searching for a next landing spot.
On the heels of the program's run to the FCS semifinals, UIW already was facing an uphill battle to replace the likes of Walter Payton Award winner Lindsey Scott Jr. at quarterback and Southland Conference defensive player of the year Kelechi Anyalebechi at linebacker.
“There are going to be some really good players who come back, but I think every year that's the nature of the beast and the name of the game,” Killough said. “Especially with the transfer portal nowadays. You have to work year round and year to year with a signing class.”
The 18 newcomers announced so far cover every position but running back, including Calzada and East Carolina transfer Ryan Stubblefield at quarterback.
A 10-game starter for the Aggies in 2021, Calzada threw for 2,185 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions, taking the starting job after an injury to Haynes King and leading an upset of top-ranked Alabama. Calzada received a medical redshirt after undergoing shoulder surgery at Auburn last year.
Killough, 29, played at UIW from 2013 through 2015 and has been an assistant there since 2018, aiding the program's rise to prominence under former coaches Eric Morris and Kinne.
He said he has “the best job in the world” as the leader of a high-flying offense that topped the FCS in scoring with 51.5 points per game last season, becoming a lightning rod for talented offensive players searching for an opportunity to produce.
“I think I'm going to be able to bring in guys here who will be able to maintain the level of success that we've had,” Killough said. “I have the best job in the world, and these kids love it. They want to be a part of it.”
Texas State adding to roster overhaul
Standing at the podium after Texas State announced nine newcomers on the first day of the early signing period, Kinne said the Bobcats were “definitely going to add a lot more between now and the start of football season.”
The first half of January brought nine more arrivals to Texas State, and an additional nine transfers have trickled in since. As the regular signing period opens Wednesday, Kinne already has overhauled the Bobcats' roster by adding 27 players, with plans to continue setting the foundation this week.
“I'm not going to let any head coach in the country outrecruit me is what I tell myself every morning,” Kinne said. “So we get after it.”
Kinne started with the line of scrimmage, adding six offensive linemen and five defensive linemen. The Bobcats also targeted the perimeter with six defensive backs and four wide receivers, while welcoming two tight ends, two running backs, a linebacker and a quarterback in Arkansas transfer Malik Hornsby.
The influx of talent included 20 transfers from four-year schools, four Texas high school players and three junior college products.
While the ratio appears similar to Texas State's approach of adding just five high school prospects in the final two recruiting classes under former coach Jake Spavital, 24 of the 27 newcomers in the Bobcats' 2023 class previously played at Texas high schools.
One of Kinne's primary goals has been rebuilding the program's relationships with Texas high school coaches, and he said he plans to “recruit Texas like our hair is on fire” to set the roster's foundation.
“All of that has been good. They're excited to get here in the spring and come check us out,” Kinne said. “They're excited we're recruiting their guys. So once again, the excitement of the new regime has been good for everybody.”
Continuity also has been a focus for Kinne, as Texas State added seven UIW transfers and welcomed seven members of Kinne's 2022 staff as assistants, plus strength coach Bret Huth.
While he plans on maintaining the high-flying, up-tempo offense and aggressive defense that vaulted UIW to a recordsetting season, Kinne said Texas State will explore offseason tweaks to find an approach that best fits the roster.
“I'll probably operate a little different in some circumstances than UIW,” Kinne said. “It's a different team, different situation. Every year is different, and every team is different. We'll see how that unfolds as things get going.”