Texas A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines has retired, school officials announced tonight.
Kines, who just completed his second season as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator, oversaw a unit that ranked last or next-to-last among Big 12 teams in total defense during both of his seasons at the school.
A&M, which finished 6-7 after dropping a 44-20 decision to Georgia in Monday’s Independence Bowl, allowed a league-high 431.3 yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 107th among the nation’s 120 FBS schools.
In 2008, A&M allowed 461.9 yards per game and ranked 114th in total defense _ ahead of only Kansas State (479.1 yards per game) _ among Big 12 teams.
A&M finished last among Big 12 teams in scoring defense in each of Kines’ seasons, allowing 32.7 points per game this year and 37.4 in 2008.
In a statement released by school officials, A&M coach Mike Sherman said he met Tuesday night with Kines and the two “came to an agreement that this was the appropriate time for Joe to retire. I asked him to stay on board through the transition of the new defensive coordinator and, thankfully, he agreed.”
No timetable has been established for selecting Kines’ successor.
_ Jimmy Burch
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