Kris Cinkovich wrapped up his eighth season with Idaho football in the spring of 2021. Cinkovich, who had been on Paul Petrino's staff during Petrino's entire tenure with the Vandals, served as the program's associate head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
The Vandals' offensive line was a key component in Idaho's nine-win season in 2016, including a victory in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. That season, the Vandals ranked among the Sun Belt leaders in fourth-down conversion percentage (second; .591), passing offense (second; 249.2), red zone offense (second; .879), scoring offense (second; 30.8), team passing efficiency (second; 133.76), tackles for loss allowed (third; 5.15), offensive first downs (third; 281), completion percentage (third; .613) and third-down conversion percentage (third; .396).
Three members of his offensive line – center Steve Matlock, tackle Jordan Rose and guard Noah Johnson earned recognition on the All-Sun Belt Conference team. Matlock was a second team choice, Rose was honorable mention as well as an AP All-Bowl Team selection in 2016 and Johnson was on the all-newcomer team.
Johnson, who secured a starting position as a true freshman, continued his growth as a sophomore in 2017, earning All-Sun Belt Second Team honors, and took another step forward in 2018. Johnson was named All-Big Sky First Team and HERO Sports All-America Third Team, becoming the first Vandal offensive lineman to earn All-America recognition since Mike Iupati (2009). Johnson would go on to earn All-Big Sky honors in 2019.
The relationship between Petrino and Cinkovich spans four decades. Cinkovich played two years at Carroll College under Paul Petrino's father Bob Petrino Sr., as an offensive lineman protecting quarterback Bobby Petrino, Paul's older brother. When Cinkovich took over for Bobby as Bob Sr.'s offensive coordinator at Carroll College in 1987, Paul was the Saints' All-American quarterback.
Their paths crossed again in 2010 when Cinkovich was hired as an assistant on Bobby's staff at Arkansas, replacing Paul who left to become the offensive coordinator at Illinois.
Cinkovich coached the Razorbacks' wide receivers from 2010-13, including the school's first BCS Bowl Game appearance in 2010. Cinkovich’s unit tied for the SEC lead with nine games featuring a 100-yard receiver. Arkansas also was one of two schools in the SEC to have two receivers rank in the top 10 in the conference in receiving yards per game.
In the 2012 NFL Draft, Arkansas tied a draft record with three wide receivers selected in the same draft, marking the 14th time in draft history and third time by an SEC school. The draft showing was preempted by an incomparable 2011 season in which Cinkovich molded the UA receivers into one of the most dominant groups in the country. Arkansas led the SEC in passing offense (300.7), total offense (438.1) and scoring offense (36.8) to become just the fifth school to lead the conference in all three categories in a single season and the first since Florida in 2001. The Razorbacks topped the conference in passing offense for the third straight season and became the second SEC team since 1992 to lead the conference in passing offense for at least three straight seasons.
The following season Cinkovich coached Cobi Hamilton to the best season by a wide receiver in Arkansas history and one of the top seasons ever put together in the SEC.
Before Arkansas, Cinkovich was the wide receivers coach at UNLV where he tutored three of the top four all-time reception leaders in program history. Cinkovich also assisted with a passing attack that ranked in the top 50 nationally in 2008 and 2009, accounting for 40 passing touchdowns. The Rebels led the nation in red zone production in 2008 (95 percent) and third-down efficiency in 2009 (46.39 percent).
Cinkovich arrived at UNLV in 2003 after a legendary run as head coach at Las Vegas High School. He oversaw the Wildcats for nine seasons and built one of the state’s top programs en route to compiling a record of 79-24. In 1995, he took LVHS to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and in 2001 brought the school its first state championship since 1959. Cinkovich’s squads won three regional titles and were ranked among the best on the west coast three times by USA TODAY. He was inducted into the Southern Nevada Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004.
Cinkovich started his collegiate football playing career at Spokane Falls Community College from 1979-80 before finishing his career at Carroll College. After graduating from Carroll, Cinkovich earned his master’s degree from Central Washington in 1987, while working on the football staff. He and his wife, Joanie, have two daughters, Carly and Stephanie.
