MIDDLE TENNESSEE has its very own Ted Lasso of sorts.
In the heart of Tullahoma, coach and Englishman Andy Lyon has carved a remarkable path as the head coach of Motlow State Community College’s women’s soccer program. With seven seasons under his belt, like everyone’s favorite mustached soccer coach, Lyon equips his players and staff with life skills and experiences that transcend the field.
Lyon was born into a family of sports fans in Nottingham, England.
“I have played sports all my life, from soccer to tennis, cricket, golf, hockey, and cross-country. I was always an active kid and came from a very sport-loving family,” he said. “Soccer was always my true love.”
His grandfather took him to his first Nottingham Forest game at just 4 years old. He was instantly hooked.
“I didn’t really have much of a choice of who to support since my family was mostly Forest fans, but I have no regrets about always following the highs and lows of the club I love,” he said.
Even after years of playing soccer and then watching and studying other people play soccer, stepping into the role of Coach wasn’t initially on Lyon’s radar.
“I didn’t think much of coaching once my playing career was over,” he admits.
But there was a void in his life, he said. Lyon’s search for a livelihood outside of a regular 9-to-5 led him to the U.S. in 2004, where he joined the NY/NJ MetroStars coaching staff in their youth development program.
“I took a chance on a [coaching] job in America,” Lyon said. “And while it wasn’t perfect, someone made the mistake of telling me I was doing a decent job, so then it became all I wanted to do.”
Since beginning Motlow’s soccer program in 2017, Lyon has compiled a 69-28-4 overall record, winning four regular-season conference titles and three tournament championships.
“I had been heavily involved in coaching women’s teams for years and had always wanted to take that on to the next level,” Lyon said. “My biggest aim is just to show everyone what brilliant players we have, how they are great students and, more importantly, good people.”
In 2016, someone questioned him about how to start a collegiate soccer program at Motlow. After a presentation to college leadership and a few rounds of interviews, he accepted a head coaching position and the difficult task of creating a brand-new program.
Motlow became the first junior college in Tennessee to have a women’s soccer team, so finding games for the team was challenging. Gaining respect for a junior college team is still a challenge.
“But if you ask any player who has seen the level of some of the better teams in junior college, it’s a huge eye-opener,” Lyon said.
Under his leadership, nearly 20 players have transferred to a four-year school to continue their soccer careers.
“I think overall what we have done is allow players to be themselves and express themselves on the field,” Lyon said. “I don’t think you can ever really get the best out of a player who doesn’t feel that they are valued.”
As if coaching junior college players on and off the field was not enough, Lyon is the Camp Forest Football Club (CFFC) director. This organization allows players (both girls and boys) from Manchester, Tullahoma, Shelbyville, Winchester, Fayetteville, and McMinnville to play soccer at a competitive or select level.
“The inspiration behind CFFC came from a group of people whose sole desire was to give the kids a better experience,” he said of the group behind the inception of CFFC in 2009.
Teams across Middle Tennessee often struggled to find enough players or were beaten consistently. CFFC created a network of over a dozen teams where players could grow in the sport and play athletes at their level.
Now, they’ve had numerous indoor and outdoor state champions and finalists. People are paying attention to players in the area, and the club has had positive feedback from the community.
Of course, he doesn’t do it all alone. He credits his unbelievably supportive spouse, some exceptional players over the years, and his assistant coach at Motlow, Katie Reid.
“There’s a saying that you are only as good as your assistant coaches, and that’s something I fully believe,” Lyon said. “She gives everything to the program and the players, and I can’t put a price on having someone who is as invested as I am.”
Reid was once playing soccer under Lyon, but he recruited her to join his assistant coach once she was done playing.
“I truly hope to be a quarter of the coach/mentor he is to his players,” Reid said. “It’s an honor to be able to coach alongside my former coach. The fact he saw potential in me as a coach was the deciding factor in pursuing coaching.”
According to Lyon, he hasn’t done anything special to deserve any awards. Still, to no one’s surprise, he has been named Coach of the Year for the TCCAA regular season, the Region VII Tournament, and the Southeast District.
“I genuinely believe that the coach of the year should be a ‘Staff of the Year’ or ‘Team of the Year’ award,” he said.
But the people who play for him and work with him know his impact can’t be dismissed.
“He’s far more than just a soccer coach to his players,” Reid said. “He’s that dependable presence who supports them both on and off the field. He’s all about putting Motlow and Camp Forest on the map and making sure they get the attention they’re due. But what truly stands out is the way he makes every player feel valued, helping them see their worth and reassuring them that they’re never alone.” GN
