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Rice University Athletics
Football
Jon Kay
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- Email:
- football@rice.edu
- Phone:
- 348-6900
After a glittering high school career at Galena Park North Shore High School, Jon Kay was named the Owls' linebacker coach in March, 2023 and was promoted to defensive coordinator when Scott Abell was named the Owls head coach in 2025.
In 2025, Kay’s two starting linebackers were a formidable 1-2 combination as Andrew Awe ranked fifth in the American with 106 tackles, the most by an Owl since 2017 and Ty Morris finished with 88.
In 2024, the Owls' defense held the opposition under 30 points per game for the second consecutive year, and their 25.4 average in 2024 was the lowest since they allowed 24.4 on their way to the C-USA title in 2013. Opponents were held to 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game (17 in 12 games), the lowest by a Rice defense since they allowed 1.27 in 2002 (14 in 11 games). The defense allowed 334.6 yards per game in and 5.01 yards per play in 2024, the lowest season averages for the Owls since they allowed 313.7 per game and 4.79 per play in 1994.
Kay joined the Owls after compiling a 117-18 record in nine seasons at North Shore High School. He led the Mustangs to four 6A state championships (2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021) and played for a fifth this past season. His 2018 squad was named national champion by Max Preps and Massey and second by USA Today and his 2022 team finished at No. 8 in USA Today's final rankings despite their loss in the state title game.
His four state titles are the most for any Houston-area school during his tenure as head coach. Before taking the helm at North Shore, Kay helped head coach David Aymond develop the Mustangs into one of the top programs in the state, culminating with the school’s first state title in 2003 at Rice Stadium.
In 2025, Kay’s two starting linebackers were a formidable 1-2 combination as Andrew Awe ranked fifth in the American with 106 tackles, the most by an Owl since 2017 and Ty Morris finished with 88.
In 2024, the Owls' defense held the opposition under 30 points per game for the second consecutive year, and their 25.4 average in 2024 was the lowest since they allowed 24.4 on their way to the C-USA title in 2013. Opponents were held to 1.4 rushing touchdowns per game (17 in 12 games), the lowest by a Rice defense since they allowed 1.27 in 2002 (14 in 11 games). The defense allowed 334.6 yards per game in and 5.01 yards per play in 2024, the lowest season averages for the Owls since they allowed 313.7 per game and 4.79 per play in 1994.
Kay joined the Owls after compiling a 117-18 record in nine seasons at North Shore High School. He led the Mustangs to four 6A state championships (2015, 2018, 2019, and 2021) and played for a fifth this past season. His 2018 squad was named national champion by Max Preps and Massey and second by USA Today and his 2022 team finished at No. 8 in USA Today's final rankings despite their loss in the state title game.
His four state titles are the most for any Houston-area school during his tenure as head coach. Before taking the helm at North Shore, Kay helped head coach David Aymond develop the Mustangs into one of the top programs in the state, culminating with the school’s first state title in 2003 at Rice Stadium.
Wednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02
