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A STAR IN BORN: Coats takes over coveted Atascocita football program
Kyle Coats keeps a Dallas Cowboys star tucked inside an envelope in his desk — a small reminder of a childhood dream that’s followed him everywhere. It’s been with him at the University of Texas at Austin, at DeSoto High School, and most recently at College Park High School.
For Coats, that symbol represents the long-term goal he’s chased since childhood: one day becoming head coach of the Cowboys. Atascocita is simply the next step in that journey.
“Yep, that star will always stay with me,” Coats laughed. “I might be 65 when I accomplish that goal, or I may never get there — but you have to keep pushing toward big goals.”
He leaves College Park better than he found it. The Cavaliers are coming off a district championship and a third-round playoff run — the deepest in program history.
“I love College Park — the players, the community, the people,” he said. “I don’t want those kids to think they did anything wrong. This is a decision for my family and my career. They’ve been incredible.
“I pick them to win district next year with what they have coming back. My message is simple: I never took a snap at College Park. Those guys believed in each other and won those games. I just had the honor of steering the ship.”
Now Coats steps into arguably the toughest district in Texas, featuring powers like North Shore Mustangs, Summer Creek Bulldogs, CE King Panthers, Humble Wildcats, Crosby Cougars, and Channelview Falcons.
“I love putting myself and the people around me in challenging situations,” he said. “Atascocita is a special place. We’re going to get boots on the ground quickly and start building. We’ll be visible in the community and engaged — just like we were at College Park.
“I love playing the big dogs every week and seeing if we can make a run. We want to be considered one of the best programs in the state every time we step on the field.
“When I was at Texas, winning a national championship was preached every day. At DeSoto, if you didn’t win or reach state, the season felt incomplete. That’s the mindset we’re bringing here. It’s high praise — but also high expectations. Pressure is a privilege.”
As Coats settles into his new office at Atascocita, there will be boxes to unpack and groundwork to lay. He’ll bring his trademark energy, confidence, and competitive edge.
And somewhere nearby — in an envelope that’s traveled his entire coaching journey — that star will still be there, quietly reminding him why he started.
The Kyle Coats era at Atascocita begins now.
Randle's Williams-Callis named Texas Gatorade Player of Year; national finalist
CHICAGO (December 5, 2025) — In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Landen Williams-Callis of Randle High School is the 2025-26 Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year.
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community. The award recognizes Williams-Callis as Texas’ best high school football player, and he’s also been selected as a finalist for the distinguished Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award to be announced in December. Williams-Callis joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, LA), Nick Singleton (2021-22, Governor Mifflin High School, PA) and Keelon Russell (2024-25, Duncanville High School, TX).
At the time of his selection, the 5-foot-8, 190-pound junior running back had led the Lions to a 13-0 record and the 5A Division II state quarterfinals. Williams-Callis had rushed for 2,868 yards and 46 touchdowns while averaging 12.1 yards per carry. He also caught 17 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown, and threw a touchdown pass as well.
Williams-Callis has volunteered locally with the YMCA and at animal shelters. He has also donated his time as a coach at the Jacquizz Rodgers Football Camp and as a speaker and mentor/presenter at elementary and middle schools. “Seldom do you hear about a kid during peewee football who lives up to the hype once they get to high school,” said Shone Evans, head coach at Texas City High School. “Not only has this young man lived up to it, but he surpassed it. His vision, strength and speed are impressive on film, but they pale in comparison to what you see from him in person. Lastly, in a world of ‘look at me,’ this young man gives off [NFL Hall of Famer] Barry Sanders vibes. Once he scores, makes a big run or runs over a defender, he finds the nearest referee to hand the ball to.”
Williams-Callis has maintained a 3.34 weighted GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school next fall.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Instagram at instagram.com/Gatorade, Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOY and X(Twitter) at x.com/Gatorade.