THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505040536
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Calling it ``the best day of my 50 years,'' an enthusiastic Bill Lyons officially took charge of the struggling Oscar Smith football program Wednesday during an elaborate press conference at the high school.
``Are you ready for some football!'' Lyons roared into a crowd of about 100 students, faculty and school board members shortly after signing a symbolic ``letter-of-intent'' with school principal Glen Koonce. ``I see a great future at Oscar Smith. No one will outwork Bill Lyons.''
Oscar Smith, which hasn't fielded a winning team since 1983, pulled out all the stops in introducing their new coach.
While sportscaster John Castleberry made opening remarks, Lyons strode into the school gymnasium, a cheerleader on each arm, with the song ``The Eye of the Tiger'' blaring in the background.
``This is truly a memorable day,'' Lyons said.
He then laid out an ambitious agenda for the Tigers, who have won only once in their last 23 games.
``Our goal for next season is to have a winning record,'' he said. ``In two years we want to be competing for the Southeastern District title. And in five years we want to be competing for the Eastern Region title on a consistent basis.''
Lyons, who will turn 50 on June 3, arrives at Oscar Smith after a 14-year stint as the head coach at Warwick, where he led the Raiders to a 69-77-3 record, two Eastern Region titles and a state final appearance. Lyons has also coached at York (1976-81) and at Valley Senior in Masontown, W.Va. (1973-76).
Lyons said he will emphasize physical football, and has commitments from Koonce and athletic director Bill Myers to upgrade the school's weight-lifting equipment.
Lyons also said he will meet with each of the team's five assistant coaches but plans no changes. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bill Lyons
by CNB