Mike Lyons is set to join Tennessee's soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach, head coach Joe Kirt announced Monday morning. Lyons joins Kirt, associate head coach Jon Morgan and fellow assistant coach Marty Baker.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Mike to our program," said Kirt. "Mike's experience as a player and coach will bring a new perspective to our staff and playing style. He is passionate and dedicated to players' growth and development on and off the field. Mike is a great fit in our staff and team culture as we continue our pursuit of SEC Championships and our ultimate goal of bringing a National Championship back to Knoxville."
Lyons spent last season at the University of Dayton, where he was an assistant coach for the men's team. During the 2024 season, Lyons helped guide the Flyers to a 14-3-3 overall record and an A10 Tournament Championship. Dayton men's soccer advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, maintaining a position in the top-25 for seven consecutive weeks, including two weeks at No. 2 in TopDrawerSoccer.com's national rankings.
Prior to his tenure at Dayton, Lyons contributed to the Virginia men's soccer program during the 2022-23 season, helping the team achieve a record of 10-4-5 overall and 5-1-2 within the ACC. The Cavaliers reached the ACC semifinals and earned at-large selection for the NCAA Tournament, ranking as high as No. 11 nationally during the season.
Before his coaching jobs, Lyons enjoyed professional playing opportunities overseas, with stints in Brazil and Ireland. Upon returning to the United States, he gained his degree from the University of Lynchburg and began his coaching career at Jefferson Forest High School, leading the team to its first state final since 2010.
Meanwhile, Nashville Soccer Club has made headlines of its own, announcing the trade of two international roster spots to LAFC. This move, reported on January 6, 2025, enabled Nashville SC to receive $350,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM).
The transaction to trade roster spots is seen as beneficial for Nashville, with club representatives stating, "This transaction allows us to improve our roster flexibility." This indicates Nashville’s strategy to optimize its team resources and financial capabilities heading toward the upcoming season.
Overall, these developments point to significant shifts within both Tennessee's soccer coaching staff and Nashville SC's roster configuration. With Lyons aiming to contribute significantly to Tennessee's championship pursuits and Nashville SC aligning its financial muscle through strategic trades, these changes could influence the dynamics of college and professional soccer competitions across the region.