Motlow Lady Bucks soccer coach Andy Lyon
With its first match now less than one year away, Motlow State Community College has announced that Andy Lyon of Tullahoma will be the school’s first head coach of the new women’s soccer program.
Lyon is familiar to soccer players and fans throughout middle Tennessee and beyond. He is the chairman of Camp Forrest FC, a select soccer club based in Tullahoma. He has won both indoor and outdoor state tournaments and has coached numerous players that have represented various college soccer teams throughout the region.
“I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge of starting the first junior college soccer program in Tennessee,” said Lyon. “I believe Motlow is in an advantageous area geographically due to the large pool of women’s soccer players in the surrounding area. I’m anxious to get started and am looking forward to bringing in quality student-athletes who will represent Motlow State as women’s soccer pioneers in our state.”
Born in Nottingham, England, where he took part in Nottingham Forest Youth programs and studied and played soccer at Leeds University, Lyon came to the United States to join the coaching staff of the NY/NJ Metrostars in their youth development program. He was hired away from the Metrostars by the Major League Soccer organization to direct youth camps and as a player development consultant.
Coach Lyon currently holds a USSF B coaching license as well as USSF national youth license and a NSCAA director of coaching diploma. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach of the men’s program at the University of the South and was an assistant coach with the Webb School girls’ soccer team in Bell Buckle.
“Andy is exactly the type of coach and leader that we were looking for to start our program,” said Scott Shasteen, athletic director at Motlow. “He has vast experience in coaching on all levels and he is very familiar with high school coaches and student-athletes throughout Motlow’s 11-county service area as well as across the country.”
Lyon’s first day of work was Sept. 1, and in addition to leading the new women’s soccer program, he will also be the coordinator of non-credit activities at Motlow.
“I am eager to get started on this exciting project and am thoroughly looking forward to bringing in quality student-athletes who will represent Motlow on the women’s soccer stage,” added Lyon. “Soccer continues to grow and the new women’s team gives student-athletes a path to play on the junior college level.”
Motlow has not yet determined where it will play home games while it seeks to build a soccer facility on the Moore County campus. Those interested in the Motlow women’s soccer program can contact Coach Lyon at 931-393-1622 or alyon@mscc.edu.
