University of the Incarnate Word Athletics

Josh Kirkland joined the University of the Incarnate Word coaching staff as the assistant head coach and running backs coach in the spring of 2018. He added recruiting coordinator duties in Jan. 2019. 

As the recruiting coordinator, Kirkland organized and planned all unofficial and official visits, as well as created the staff overall recruiting plan; he also implemented a new system (ARMS) for each coach to use while on the road.

In Kirkland’s second year with the Cardinals (2019), he helped guide UIW to five wins, including two over ranked opponents (No. 25 HBU and No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana). UIW also broke several program records, including pass completions (303), pass completion percent (57.9), all-purpose yards (6,283) and total points (358).
 
Kirkland planned a three-pronged attack against Texas Southern that led to the single game record for most net yards rushing (402) in program history; these rushing yards contributed to the program record for most total offensive yards gained (746) and most all-purpose yards gained (840). He also used junior running back Keyondrick Philio as a short-yard running back; Philio ran for nine rushing touchdowns and a two-point conversion, accomplished with 326 yards gained and only five yards lost over 73 carries.
 
In his first season with the Cardinals, Kirkland helped guide UIW to the best season in program history. The Cardinals were 1-10 overall (1-7 in Southland Conference action) in 2017 before Kirkland and the staff led them to a 6-4 regular season record, a conference championship, and the program’s first FCS Playoff appearance.
 
Kirkland tutored first team All-SLC selection Ra’Quanne Dickens, who recorded two 200+ yard rushing performances: 213 yards at Central Arkansas (Nov. 10); 220 yards vs. SFA (Sept. 15). Dickens went on to set multiple single season records through the 2018 season.
 
Dickens broke the program record for single season rushing yards (1,117), becoming the program’s first 1000-yard rusher. He finished the season ranked second in the SLC and finished in the top 20 in the FCS in rushing yards. Dickens also set the program record for rushing touchdowns (14, which led to a program-high 84 points scored), and 100-yard rushing games in a single season (5).
 
Following the regular season, Dickens earned FCS All-American honors from both HERO Sports and FCS STATS.
 
Dickens finished his career with 1,524 rushing yards, good for fourth in program history. He racked up these yards in just two years.
 
The UIW offense set team records in total offense (5,314), total points (357), and touchdowns (48). It also set single game records with most yards of total offense (656) and most all-purpose yards gained (747), both against UCA on Nov. 10.
 
Prior to UIW, Kirkland, a Levelland, Texas, native, was the athletic coordinator and head football coach at Lehman High School (Texas). Under his tutelage, Lehman broke the record for passing yards and completion percentage.
 
Prior to Lehman, Kirkland was the athletic coordinator and head football coach at El Paso Parkland High School.
 
In 2016, Kirkland was hired at EP Parkland and led the Matador football team -- who was 4-6 overall the previous year -- to an 8-4 record and a second-round playoff appearance. Under Kirkland, Parkland led the state in rushing yards (3,924 yards) and was third in total offense (6,351 total yards).
 
With Kirkland as athletic coordinator, academic retention at EP Parkland increased by 27 percent in all athletic programs, while seven players signed on to college scholarships.
 
On the field, EP Parkland broke records in every offensive category with Kirkland at the helm.
 
As the running back coach for Christian Life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kirkland coached a 9-3 team that had 2,942 yards on the ground.
 
Kirkland also spent time as the offensive coordinator at Houston Westbury, where his team averaged 213.0 rushing yards per game.
 
Kirkland began his coaching career as a running backs coach at Daingerfield High School (Texas) where three of his running backs amassed more than 1,000 yards in a 13-2 season.
 
Kirkland earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and a Master of Arts in Education, with a specialty in Teacher Leadership and Coaching, from Grand Canyon University in 2014.
 
Kirkland is married to Marina. The couple has two sons, Kash and Krew, and are expecting their third child in the fall.