Kinkead became the U of I men's and women's swimming coach in August of 1994. He brought a wealth of experience to the Hounds' programs.

Kinkead has been involved in swimming for more than 40 years as a competitor, coach and administrator. He has 25 years of experience in USS (United States Swimming) and high school coaching.

Kinkead began his coaching career in 1970 as the assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. He coached at Ann Arbor [MI] Huron H.S., the Greater Lexington [KY] Swim Association and the St. Laurent Club in Montreal, Quebec, before coming to Indiana in 1977. Kinkead coached the boys' team at Kokomo Haworth from 1980-83, before coaching the girls' team at Kokomo from 1984-88. From 1988-94, Kinkead was the boys' swimming coach at Indianapolis Ben Davis. Kinkead also served as the director of the Westside Aquatics Club in 1993-94.

Kinkead is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA), taking all the ASCA level schools (1-5). Kinkead worked at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, he has been president of the Indiana Swim Coaches Association and a delegate to the USS National Convention.

Kinkead swam at Michigan from 1966-70, serving as captain in 1970.

He was the Big Ten champion in the 500 freestyle in 1967 (establishing a new NCAA freshman record) and the 400 IM in 1968 and 1970. Kinkead earned All-America honors 16 times in the 200 backstroke and 500 freestyle, and the 400 medley and 800 freestyle relays.