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Encinal Athletic Director Kevin Gorham announced today that Marketing teacher Derrick Lyons will be the new head coach of Encinal Football.
“I am thrilled that coach Lyons accepted [the role] to be the next coach of Nail House. He brings knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the program,” said Gorham.
Lyons is no stranger to Encinal or football. Graduating from Encinal in 1998, he continued on to play four full years of collegiate football at Missouri Valley College working towards his BA. From there, Lyons then obtained his MA at Lindenwood University. In 2008, Lyons returned to the Bay Area where he coached Laney College football. Lyons then transitioned to coaching high school level football while simultaneously teaching at Encinal High School. Lyons has also coached football at Berkeley High, San Leandro High, Logan High, and Piedmont High.
“Being an Encinal alumnus and teacher and getting this opportunity to bring tradition back to the program is very exciting,” said Lyons.
Mr.Lyons being a current teacher at Encinal played a major role in his hiring.
“Hiring Coach Lyons also aligns with my goals of getting more on campus coaches. I look forward to Coach Lyons taking the helm of this storied program,” said Gorham.
“It’s exciting that we get to have a coach on campus,” said Junior receiver Marques Singleton.
Lyons replaces former head coach Keith Minor who stepped down on April 8. Minor led the Jets to a 39-13 record, three league championships, and one NCS final over the course of five seasons. Minor will be the new coach at Moreau Catholic in Hayward.
“It shocking with us going up a division,” said Sophomore Tyrone Henderson. “I was shocked and was sad, but it is what it is.”
Leaving Encinal was not an easy decision for Minor.
“To all the players I’ve coached … thank you for making me a better coach, and person, and for playing your hardest every time the lights came on Friday Night at the swamp," Minor wrote in a Facebook post. "Lastly, the Encinal faculty and staff thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our student-athletes.”
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