Meet Coach

Meet Coach Kinlaw

Experience.
Perseverance.
Purpose.

Rodney Kinlaw is a former professional running back from Goose Creek, South Carolina, with more than 20 years of experience playing and coaching football. He played at Penn State under legendary coach Joe Paterno before continuing his career in the NFL, CFL, and GFL. Today, he leads Kinlaw Academy and trains young athletes throughout Gwinnett County in running back development, speed, agility, and football fundamentals.

1,329

Senior-Season Rushing Yards

2007

Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP

10th

On Penn State’s Single-Season Rushing List

NFL • CFL • GFL

Experience

More Than Football

Football runs deep in Coach Kinlaw’s family. His father, Rodney Sr., played running back at South Carolina State University. His uncle, Courtney Brown, was a Penn State All-American and the No. 1 overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. His brother, Caleb Kinlaw, played running back at South Carolina and Wisconsin.

Rodney earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management with a minor in Sociology from Penn State. Along with coaching and leading Kinlaw Academy, he is a talent acquisition leader who helps organizations build high-performing teams.

Rodney’s Journey

When Preparation Meets Opportunity

After tearing his ACL as a freshman and spending much of his early Penn State career contributing on special teams, Rodney continued preparing for his opportunity. Before his senior season, he wrote down his goals and carried them in his wallet. When his opportunity came, he became the starter and finished the season with 1,329 rushing yards. He capped the year by earning Offensive MVP honors in the 2007 Alamo Bowl. His journey is the foundation of what he teaches today: prepare, persevere, and never give up.