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THE KAY EFFECT: Former North Shore Coach Talks New Gig, Changing Landscape In College Football
When you think of North Shore High School, the names most synonomous with the nationally-recorgnized program are coach David Aymond and coach Jon Kay.
David Aymond built a powerhouse on Houston’s east side from the ground up, leading the Mustangs to a state title in 2003. After an illustrious career, he handed the reins to his longtime associate head coach and defensive coordinator, Jon Kay, who had studied the art of high school football under his mentor.
Kay didn’t just continue the legacy—he elevated it. Under his leadership, North Shore became a national powerhouse, winning four state championships.
Then came the move that shook the Texas football landscape—Kay accepted a linebackers coaching position at Rice University under head coach Mike Bloomgren. But as fate would have it, Bloomgren was let go, and the Owls brought in new head coach Scott Abell, who quickly promoted Kay to defensive coordinator.
VYPE’s Chief Content Officer, Matt Malatesta, sat down with Jon Kay inside the VYPE studios to discuss Texas high school and college football, his journey from Michigan to Texas, and his thoughts on the ever-changing landscape of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Drew Devillier commits to Rice as a dual-sport athlete
One of the heartbeats of a football program is a talented quarterback who plays hard, focuses on building his football IQ, and continues to learn the game. Colleges across the nation often look for resilient quarterbacks who are willing to go the distance for their program. At Plano East, Drew Devillier is just that. VYPE DFW recently caught up with Devillier following his announcement to commit to Rice University as a dual-sport athlete in both football and baseball.
Committed!! I want to thank God, my family, and my coaches for helping me get here! Go Owls!! @RiceFootball @RiceBaseball @mbloom11 @therealTUI @PlanoEastFB @peshbaseball pic.twitter.com/QfSDCiHqVE
— Drew Devillier (@DevillierDrew) June 19, 2023
Talented in the pocket for Plano East, Devillier was awarded First Team All-District for 6-6A after recording 2,271 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior season. Doubling as a right-handed pitcher for Plano East baseball, Devillier continues to be an athletic standout to the universities watching his high school success which is why it comes as no surprise that Rice University extended a dual-sport athlete offer to this young man. Check out VYPE DFW's exclusive interview with Devillier now:
The decision to leave home is not always an easy one. What impacted your decision when choosing to commit to Rice?
"Rice is only about four hours from home, so it is possible to have family and friends come to my games. The opportunity to play both football and baseball was too intriguing to pass up. And the coaching staff and facilities for both programs are impressive."
What has been your favorite memory playing with Plano East so far?
"Our start to my junior football season last year was exciting. We had to come back from behind in all three games and started 3-0."
What professional athlete do you look up to-- why?
"I grew up a Drew Brees fan because our family is big New Orleans Saints fans. Now I'm a Joe Burrow fan from his days at LSU and as a pro. He's got the game to back up his swagger."
What has been your biggest accomplishment during your high school season so far?
"Winning First Team All-District last year was great because it showed that other coaches we played against liked the way that I played."
Do you have a gameday routine that you stick to?
"On game day, I like to stay loose so I don't really have a strict routine now. I do like to take a lap around the field before the game to warm up."
What do you do in the offseason to ensure that your skills are sharp for the season ahead?
"I train with QB Country and Landry Klann in Plano. He likes to have us bring our receivers to get extra reps with them. I also like to work on the side with receivers on the weekends and at 7v7 games."
What is your mindset going into each new season?
"Every year is a new year with a new team and new opportunities. I just try to stay focused on the job ahead of me and help my team get to the playoffs. My competitive nature keeps me working hard. That's no secret, it's just something I need to be successful."
In your opinion, what has been the secret to your team's success?
"Coach Benedetto and his staff have been instrumental in creating a new culture of high expectations at Plano East. It showed early last year, but injuries and a very tough district were challenging for us. This year, we are all learning from last year so we can take the next step as a team."