John Lyons - Defensive Coordinator (DB) - Football Coaches - University of New Hampshire Athletics

Photo by: Gil Talbot

John Lyons

Title:
Defensive Coordinator (DB)
Email:
john.lyons@unh.edu
Phone:
603-862-3898

The 2019 season represents John Lyons’ ninth year as UNH defensive coordinator/DB coach. In 2017, he oversaw a UNH defense that ranked No. 1 in the CAA in red zone as well as second in sacks and third in pass defense efficiency.

In 2016, the Wildcats’ defense was second in the red zone as well as fumble recoveries and interceptions, tied for second in sacks, third in takeaways and fourth in rushing defense. Under Lyons’ tutelage, senior cornerback Casey DeAndrade was named to a total of five All-America teams. Also of note, Prince Smith, Jr. was honored as the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In 2015, Lyons guided the Wildcats to the CAA’s fourth-ranked passing defense. The opportunistic defensive unit recovered 11 fumbles and tallied 12 interceptions to help the ‘Cats to a +6 turnover margin (No. 3 in CAA). DeAndrade tied for second in the league in passes defended. Led by junior defensive end Cam Shorey, the stout defense racked up 31 sacks (No. 3 in CAA) and boasted the league’s third-ranked red zone defense (76.7 %). Shorey tied for fourth in the league with a team-high 7.5 sacks.

Lyons mentored the CAA’s No. 2 scoring defense (21.2 points/game) and No. 3 pass defense in 2014. The ‘Cats racked up a league-leading 39 sacks, including a team-leading 10.0 sacks from senior defensive end Cody Muller.

In 2013, DeAndrade ranked No. 2 in the nation in passes broken up, and the defense ranked No. 14 in sacks.

Under Lyons’ tutelage in 2012, linebacker Matt Evans became UNH’s all-time leader in career tackles (460) en route to a berth on the College Sporting News Fabulous Fifty All-America Team, and defensive tackle Jared Smith earned an invitation to the NFL Combine after claiming a spot on the College Sports Journal FCS All-America Team. The Wildcats’ defense compiled 16 interceptions, which ranked second in the CAA.

In Lyons’ first season at the helm, Evans won the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top defensive player – the first Wildcat to ever accomplish that feat. Evans finished tops in the country with 7.7 solo tackles/game.

Lyons, the second-winningest head football coach in Dartmouth College history, was hired Jan. 21, 2011.

He was inducted into the Northwest Catholic (Conn.) High School Hall of Fame on April 27, 2013.

Lyons earned 60 career victories as the head coach at Dartmouth from 1992-2004. His Big Green teams won two Ivy League championships (1992, 1996), including a perfect 10-0 season in ’96 when Lyons was named the New England Coach of the Year by the New England sports writers and the Division I N.E. Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Boston.

The West Hartford, Conn., native previously worked at Kimball Union Academy (Meriden, N.H.), where he served as football coach from 2005-10 and athletic director from 2008-10. He guided the school to three consecutive Evergreen League championships from 2007-2009.

Previously, Lyons spent three seasons (2005-07) in NFL Europe for the Cologne Centurions, the last two years as defensive coordinator. Under his tutelage, the Centurions had the league’s top total defense in 2005 and 2007 and the No. 1 pass yardage defense in 2006.

While serving as defensive coordinator at Boston University from 1985-87, Lyons led the Terriers to the top rated pass defense and No. 2 total defense in the Yankee Conference during his final season.

Lyons, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974, began his coaching career at his alma mater, climbing his way up from an assistant freshman coach in his first season (1974) to the role of defensive coordinator in 1984 for an undefeated Ivy League championship Quakers team that featured the No. 1 total defense in the league. He played three years at Penn, and was an All-Ivy League Second-Team selection.

John and his wife Nancy are parents of four daughters: Katie, Kristen, Kelly and Kyle.