Brand new Broncos football coach Jay Boyle, who was appointed Aug. 17 — the first day of practice — is no stranger to the Purple and Gold. He played four years of varsity football at Falls High School and earned numerous post-season honors as a center and nose guard following his junior and senior seasons. He graduated in 2003.
Boyle went on and played two years at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul before graduating and moving back up north. He’s spent the last two Bronco football seasons as an assistant coach under Stuart Nordquist.
Jay’s dad Joe played four years at the University of St. Thomas, and Jay’s younger brother Ty is currently a standout defensive tackle for the University of North Dakota.
“We were a football household,” Jay said.
The new coach took some time to answer 10 questions for The Daily Journal, and this is his Q and A.
Daily Journal: What is your greatest memory at Sports Stadium?
Jay Boyle: Taking a picture with my closest friends in front of the old scoreboard after a 62-0 victory over Crosby-Ironton in the first game after the teacher’s strike.
DJ: Greatest piece of advice from a former coach/teammate?
JB: “You’re going to be up, you’re going to be down. I have never known a person in this world that achieved anything that didn’t have to pick themselves up off the ground.” — Lou Holtz
DJ: What are the biggest factors on a winning football team?
JB: Winning football teams practice hard every day. They practice how they intend to play in games. They do not showboat, and they do not brag. They are there to play football and the only talking that need be done is expressed through their actions between the snap of the ball and the whistle.
DJ: Your biggest strength as a coach?
JB: My knowledge and involvement in the Bronco football tradition over the last decade, and my desire for current players to end up with the same type of great memories.
DJ: Your Broncos just scored a touchdown as time expired and trail by a point against Proctor in the 2009 Section 7AAA Championship. Do you kick it and force overtime or go for two points and the win?
JB: This will all depend on the course of the game and can’t be answered by just this scenario. Besides, you never know who in Proctor could be reading this article.
DJ: If you had to change one thing about Bronco football, what would it be?
JB: Bronco football has been and will continue to be a constantly evolving entity. As new strategies are created and/or learned that will benefit the program, they will be implemented just as they have been in the past.
DJ: What do you want a Jay Boyle-coached team to be known for?
JB: Hard work, determination, clean play and hitting hard.
DJ: Do you think Stuart Nordquist has coached his last high school football game?
JB: I will not make any predictions regarding coach Nordquist. All that I will say, and I can say this with utmost certainty, is that Stuart Nordquist has always been and will continue to be a friend and supporter of myself and of the Bronco football program.
DJ: What are you looking forward to most?
JB: As a coach, I am most looking forward to getting the boys out onto the game field and helping them carry on the strong Bronco football tradition that has been established in our community.
