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Joe Kines

Joe Kines (born July 13, 1944) is a retired American coach renowned for his extensive career as a and linebackers coach across multiple (SEC) programs and the (NFL). Over four decades, he contributed to numerous successful defenses, including national rankings in key statistical categories at the , and served as interim at the in 1992. Kines began his football journey as a player at from 1963 to 1965, where he helped the team secure three consecutive Alabama Collegiate Conference championships and earned both bachelor's (1967) and master's (1972) degrees from the institution. After starting his coaching career as a at Jacksonville State in 1972–1973, he rose to assistant head coach and there from 1974 to 1976. His early assistant roles included linebackers coach at (1977–1978) and the (1979–1980), where he advanced to (1981–1984) and assistant head coach (1984). Kines' career featured prominent stints as defensive coordinator at Alabama (1985–1986 and 2003–2006), the University of Georgia (1995–1999), and Texas A&M University (2008–2009), as well as linebackers coach for the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987–1990) and Florida State University (2000–2002). At Alabama, his defenses achieved top-10 national rankings in all major categories in 2005; in 2004, they ranked second in total defense and first in scoring defense while producing five All-SEC players; he also served as interim head coach for the 2006 Independence Bowl. His tenure at Arkansas included defensive coordinator duties (1991 and 1993–1994) and an interim head coaching record of 3–6–1 in 1992. Kines retired following the 2009 season at Texas A&M, capping a legacy that earned him induction into the Jacksonville State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

Early life and playing career

Upbringing and family

Joe Kines was born prematurely on July 13, 1944, in a train car en route from Cedartown, Georgia, to Piedmont, Alabama, approximately 25 miles away, as his mother went into labor unexpectedly during the journey. His full name is Austin Joe Kines, named after his father, Austin Joe Kines Sr. (1924–2016), a resident of Cedartown who had been born in Rock Run, Alabama. Kines' mother, Greathel Williams Kines, and his parents raised him alongside his siblings—brother Bruce Kines and sister Angela K. King—in Cedartown, where the family was part of a close-knit, working-class Southern community. Kines grew up in , immersing himself in the town's sports culture during his childhood and teenage years. As a member of a modest Southern family, he experienced the rhythms of small-town life, where community events and local athletics played central roles in daily activities. At Cedartown High School, he emerged as a multi-sport athlete, participating in , , and , though he later described himself as a "fair-to-middling" performer rather than a standout star. His early exposure to football came through the vibrant local high school programs in Cedartown, where he developed a passion for the game from a young age, playing positions like center and tackle on a team that won a regional championship. This foundation in grassroots Southern , shaped by family support and community involvement, fueled his lifelong dedication to the sport before he pursued opportunities at .

College athletics at Jacksonville State

Joe Kines enrolled at in 1963, where he pursued a degree in and became a key contributor to the Gamecocks' football program. Kines joined the football team as a walk-on before earning a for his final three years. As a three-year letterman from 1963 to 1965, Kines earned all-conference honors in the Alabama Collegiate Conference during his tenure. His efforts helped the team secure three consecutive conference championships, including a 6-2 record in his senior year of 1965 under head coach Jim Blevins. Kines graduated with a in education in 1967, laying the academic foundation for his future in coaching. He later returned to the university to earn a in education in 1972. This advanced coursework directly influenced his approach to integrating academic and athletic growth in his early coaching experiences.

Coaching career

Early assistant roles

Kines began his coaching career in 1967 as an assistant coach at Newnan High School in under Max Bass, where he focused on defensive responsibilities. In his debut season, the Newnan defense, under his influence, allowed just 39 points across 10 games en route to a 9-1 record, highlighted by a 46-0 victory in the opener against the Dallas Tigers. He continued in this role through 1972, contributing to the development of a reputation for stout defenses at the high school level. Following his undergraduate and graduate education at , Kines returned to his in January 1973 as defensive line coach under . Promoted to the following year, he served in that capacity from 1974 to 1976 while also assuming duties as assistant head coach starting in 1974 and linebackers coach by 1975, all under Clarkie Mayfield from 1974 onward. During this period, Kines emphasized aggressive linebacker play within the Gamecocks' defensive schemes, fostering a unit known for its physicality and effectiveness at the NAIA level. These early assistant roles at smaller programs solidified Kines' expertise as a defensive specialist, laying the groundwork for his subsequent transitions while prioritizing fundamental techniques and player development over complex innovations.

NFL tenure

Joe Kines joined the as linebackers coach in 1987, following head coach from the where Kines had served as and inside linebackers coach from 1985 to 1986. In his first two seasons, Kines focused on outside linebackers before expanding to oversee the entire linebacker unit in 1989 and 1990. During his tenure, Kines contributed to the development of several key defensive players, including linebacker Eugene Marve, who recorded a team-high 106 tackles in 1989. He also coached safety Harry Hamilton, who tied for third in the with six interceptions that season, and Ricky Reynolds, who added six interceptions including a 33-yard blocked return for a against on October 22, 1989. These efforts helped ' defense force a franchise-record 28 interceptions in 1989, marking a notable improvement in turnover production despite the team's overall 6-10 record. Kines' prior college experience in building linebacker units informed his approach to adapting aggressive defensive schemes to the level, where he emphasized speed and coverage skills suited to offenses. ' defense under his guidance held opponents to low rushing totals in key games, such as limiting the Phoenix Cardinals to 43 yards on November 26, 1989. After the 1990 season, during which the finished 6-10 and fired , Kines departed the to return to college coaching, accepting the position at the in 1991.

Major college positions and head coaching stints

Kines served as linebackers coach at from 1977 to 1978, where he contributed to the Tigers' defensive units during a period of program transition under Charley Pell. He then moved to the in 1979, initially as linebackers coach through 1980 before being promoted to from 1981 to 1984, helping the Gators achieve consistent defensive performances in the . Returning to after a stint in the , Kines joined the as in 1991 under . Following Crowe's firing after an opening-game loss to , Kines was elevated to interim for the remainder of the 1992 season, compiling a 3-6-1 record that included an upset victory over the fourth-ranked , 25-24, on a last-second . He remained as through 1994 before departing for Georgia. At the , Kines served as from 1995 to 1999 under head coach , overseeing defenses that supported three bowl appearances and ranked among the SEC's better units in total defense during his tenure. After his role at Florida State from 2000 to 2002, he returned to the in 2003 as associate head coach and , a position he held through 2006. During this second Alabama stint, his defenses facilitated three bowl berths, including the 2006 , and developed standout linebackers like , who transitioned to a successful career as a first-round pick and eventual head coach. When head coach was fired late in the 2006 season, Kines again served as interim head coach, leading the to a 34-31 loss against Oklahoma State in the . Kines concluded his major college roles as at Texas A&M from 2008 to 2009 under Mike Sherman, where his unit showed improvement in the Big 12 despite challenging seasons. Across his career, Kines' defensive schemes contributed to 15 appearances at various programs, underscoring his impact on postseason success. His overall head coaching record as interim at and stood at 3-7-1. Kines retired from coaching following the 2009 Texas A&M season at age 65.

Legacy and honors

Awards and recognitions

Joe Kines was inducted into the Jacksonville State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing his contributions as both a player from 1963 to 1965—where he helped secure three consecutive Alabama Collegiate Conference championships—and as a longtime coach who elevated the program's defensive standards. In 2005, while serving as defensive coordinator at Alabama, Kines was named a finalist for the Broyles Award, which honors the nation's top college football assistant coach; that season, his unit ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring defense (10.7 points per game allowed) and No. 2 in total defense (248.3 yards per game), No. 7 in rushing defense (93.5 yards per game), contributing to a 10-2 record and a Cotton Bowl victory. Kines received the (AFCA) Outstanding Achievement Award in 2013, an honor given to members who have made significant contributions to the coaching profession over an extended career, highlighting his over 40 years as an assistant coach across multiple programs including , Texas A&M, and . His defensive expertise has been acknowledged in official program histories at , where he is credited with revitalizing the defense during challenging periods in the mid-2000s, and at Texas A&M, where his tenure marked improved physicality en route to a 4-8 season. Kines has been invited to speaking engagements as a mark of respect for his coaching legacy, including a 2015 address at Pepperell High School's baccalaureate ceremony in his hometown of , where he shared insights on leadership and perseverance drawn from his SEC and NFL experience.

Influence on defensive coaching

Joe Kines developed an aggressive defensive philosophy centered on the 3-3-5 alignment, which emphasized speed, swarming ball pursuit, and an inside-out approach that funneled plays toward the linebackers for maximum disruption. This scheme relied on the "opposite shoulder" technique for defensive linemen, allowing linebackers to exploit gaps and create chaos against spread offenses prevalent in the and Big 12 conferences during his tenures at and Texas A&M. By prioritizing athletic linebackers in versatile roles, Kines' system influenced play-calling in these leagues, promoting hybrid defenses that balanced zone coverage with selective blitzes to counter high-tempo attacks, as seen in Alabama's No. 2 national defensive ranking in 2005. Kines' mentorship extended to several prominent coaches and players who advanced to the NFL, shaping their defensive philosophies and leadership styles. He coached Kirby Smart as a defensive back at Georgia and later provided Smart a graduate assistant role at Florida State from 2002 to 2003, advising him on the intricacies of defensive coordination and the pitfalls of head coaching transitions. Similarly, Kines mentored DeMeco Ryans at Alabama by having him relay defensive calls during film sessions from 2003 to 2005, igniting Ryans' interest in coaching and emphasizing the need to understand every position's responsibilities, which Ryans credits for his success as the Houston Texans' head coach. Derek Dooley also began his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Kines at Georgia in 1996, absorbing lessons in player motivation and defensive organization that informed Dooley's later roles as a head coach. Regarded as a "defensive guru" for his motivational energy and ability to maximize player potential, Kines earned widespread respect across for his empathetic yet demanding style, as noted by peers like and . His expertise contributed to 15 appearances across programs including , , , , and A&M, where his defenses often provided the backbone for postseason success, such as 's 2006 Independence berth.

References

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