MANATEE FOOTBALL

Coach Joe Kinnan returned to Manatee High, his alma mater, in 1981 to become head football coach and athletic director. In his 29th seasons, Kinnan has compiled a 280-70 record with 18 districts, 15 state quarter-finalists, 14 state semi-finalists, two state runner-up and five state championships. He officially retired from coaching and teaching in January 2001 and for three years was the Chief Operating Officer for the Police Athletic League and Charter Schools of Manatee County. In April 2005 Coach Kinnan once again "came home" to Manatee High as the head football coach.

 

Some of the many honors bestowed on Coach Kinnan include the following:

Florida Athletic Coaches Association Football Coach of the Year;

 

Head football coach of the Florida-Georgia All Star Game;

 

Inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame;

 

WWSB Channel 7 Lifetime Achievement Award. 5) Elected to Florida’s All Century Coaching Team, 1907-2007.

 

2013 USA Today Best High School Football Coach "Florida"

 

2014 Manatee High School Alumni Association "Outstanding Alumni Award" recipient.

 

After graduating from Manatee High in 1963, Kinnan attended Duke University on a football scholarship. He later transferred to Florida State University where he started for two years on the football team. He received both a bachelors and masters degree from FSU in education.

 

Kinnan's coaching career has included positions at four universities: Florida State, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Kentucky. While offensive coordinator at EKU, the Colonels were 1AA National Champions in 1979 and runners-up in 1980. Coach Kinnan and his wife Linda, have one son, Joe Jr. and one grandson, Jay. 

 

Thanks Coach!