Now that he is a teacher-coach, Jon Landon feels blessed that he toiled for the Tricolour during a period of transition.
 

The father of three, who teaches physical education and oversees the football program at Ottawa's Ashbury College, was a pillar of the Gaels' offensive line from 1998-2002. His Gaels tenure, which would led to a CFL career and a Grey Cup ring with the 2004 Toronto Argonauts, covered the period where Queen's moved from the old O-QIFC to the OUA while the coaching reins passed from Bob Howes to Pat Sheahan.
 

"The thing I lucked out with is that I had a wide variety of coaches," " recalls Landon, who originally hails from Amherstview and played his high school ball with Kingston's Holy Cross Crusaders. "I was first coached by Bill Miklas [Sr.], who was just outstanding, just the energy and intensity that I've never seen before in my life. I carry that with me and try to emulate that – not to the point where I'm not allowed on the sidelines, but I try to bring that. And, of course, I had Bob Howes, who was a true professional and helped me along the way into the CFL. Pat Sheahan was a great head coach. A lot of stuff I draw from also comes from Pat Tracey [Queen's defensive coordinator from 2001-13]. I played defensive line for one year at Queen's. He coached the hell out of you.
 

"Those four guys are some of the best coaches in all of Canada and I had them all within a span of five years."
 

Landon's decampment to D-line in 2001 left an indelible mark on his understanding of the game. Coming off three non-playoff seasons, Queen's made the novel move of putting all-Canadian O-lineman on the other side of the ball. It paid off, as the Gaels earned their first playoff win in four seasons.
 

"I remember Coach Sheahan basically took me out for coffee and said, 'Jon, looking forward I think you have a chance to play offensive line in the CFL but we really need someone to play defensive line.' I was drafted that year [by Montreal] as an offensive lineman. It was just great for me staying involved, staying plugged in. It was just something different for me to work at and enjoy and improve my overall athleticism. It was a need."
 

After starring for a Yates Cup finalist in 2002, Landon made his way into the CFL, spending three seasons with Toronto. Following a trade to Edmonton, he and his spouse, Monica Kunstadt-Landon, opted to settle in Ottawa. They have three sons – Jackson, age 7, Marcus, 5 and Isaac, 3 – and a full schedule. While Landon is busy teaching and being the overseer for all football at Ashbury, his spouse also helps manage Kunstadt Sports, a local chain of sports stores.
 

As an educator, Landon makes sure to impart the value of combining athletics and academics in university. It's demanding, but he believes it pays off.
 

"It's really come full circle," the 35-year-old says. "I teach a Grade 12 exercise science class and part of it is talking about sport and culture, just those things it instills, from teamwork to time management. My students are very academically driven and sometimes they say 'I'm not sure about playing football, I really want to focus.'
 

"And I tell them, 'my best time academically was when I was playing football.' I knew when practice ended I had readings to go to and there would be downtime in the off-season. It's just one of things I took with me from Queen's. Being a student-athlete is incredibly important and it's something i want the kids I teach to be part of, whatever sport it is. It pays huge dividends down the road."
 

A Western-Queen's matchup, of course, is memorable regardless of outcome. Queen's went 3-0 against the Mustangs during Landon's career. That included his only career touchdown during a 26-24 win in October 2001.
 

"Andrew Moad tipped up the ball and landed it right in my hands," Landon says. "I ran it in about 30 yards – slowest footrace ever against the Western quarterback. It was something I'll always remember. I have the video somewhere in my basement; when my kids are a little older I'll put it out to show them their old man could move around a little bit."
 

Neate Sager (@neatebuzzthenet), Arts '00, writes for Yahoo! Canada Sports (ca.sports.yahoo.com).