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The University of West Virginia announced the hiring of Shane Lyons as Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President on Monday.
He had previously served as Alabama’s Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer since November of 2011.
“It has been very special to play a small part in such a tremendous time in Alabama athletics,” Lyons said in a statement. “I hope that I have helped the department continue to advance in its mission. This was already a great place when I arrived, and we have continued to have amazing success. It has been a joy to work with our student-athletes, coaches and staff over the last three years. During our time here, Tuscaloosa and the Capstone have truly become a home to us. It truly took a special opportunity to come along for us to even consider leaving.
“However, it just so happens that an opportunity that is special to me on a personal and professional basis did, indeed, come my way recently when WVU contacted me about the Director of Athletics opening. As many of you know, I am a native West Virginian, having grown up in Parkersburg, West Virginia. I also am a graduate of WVU, from which I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees before beginning my career in athletics administration.”
Prior to Alabama, Lyons served as the associate commissioner at the Atlantic Coast Conference for ten years, and was an associate athletics director for three years.
Lyons will oversee 18 varsity sports, a department budget of approximately $77 million, 220 employees and approximately 450 student-athletes at West Virginia.
During his time at Alabama his responsibilities included oversight of a $120 million budget, daily monitoring of compliance and oversight of the Crimson Tide’s 21 sports teams. He also played a major role in renegotiating Alabama’s multimedia rights agreement that took effect last year.
“Shane’s leadership, decision-making and professionalism will be sorely missed by me and the entire athletics department, but we are all very excited for Shane, Emily, Cameron and Brooke on the opportunity for them to go back to Shane’s alma mater in such an important role,” Alabama athletic director Bill Battle said. “I have no doubt that Shane is ready to take on this next opportunity in his career. Not only is he ready as a professional person, but his ability to work with people will make him an exceptional athletics director. I wish him nothing but the best at West Virginia.”
UPDATE: Alabama released the following statements from a variety of coaches about Lyons’ departure:
- Nick Saban, football: “I think West Virginia University made an excellent decision in hiring Shane Lyons as Director of Athletics. Shane did an outstanding job for us during his time at Alabama and we appreciate all of his hard work and dedication. Over the last several years, we have been successful in many of our sports and our administration deserves much of the credit for setting the table for those coaches to establish winning programs. Growing up in West Virginia and coaching there, I know it is a very special place and I know how important athletics is to everyone in the state. Shane is also a West Virginia native so he understands that passion and what the Mountaineers represent. We wish Shane and his family the best and we know they’ll be a great fit at West Virginia University.”
- Jay Seawell, men’s golf: “I am very appreciative of Shane’s leadership and his enthusiasm he had for the Alabama athletics department. Shane did a great job and will be extremely missed, as will his family. We’ve become great friends and I am grateful for that. I wish him the best and I know he will do a phenomenal job at West Virginia and leading that athletics department.”
- Mic Potter, women’s golf: “You hear people talk about a player’s coach, but Shane Lyons was a coach’s administrator. I know our program would not be where it is today without his support and guidance. We will miss him, but he is well prepared and will do a great job at West Virginia.”
- Patrick Murphy, softball: “All of us involved with softball would like to thank Shane for his hard work and support during his time at Alabama. One of my fondest memories of Shane was seeing him in a rain poncho celebrating our national championship on the field in Oklahoma City in 2012. He will do a great job at West Virginia.”
- Anthony Grant, men’s basketball: “I am happy for Shane and his family. It’s a great opportunity for him to lead the athletics department at West Virginia. Shane is an outstanding administrator, extremely loyal and just a high character person. We wish him much success in his new endeavor.”
- Kristy Curry, women’s basketball: “Shane is an amazing leader, and West Virginia just made an incredible hire. He possesses a special passion and knowledge for leading student-athletes and coaches on a mission daily to compete at the highest level in the classroom, on the court and in the community. It has been an honor to have worked with Shane this past year, and my family and I wish him and his family all the best.”
- Dana Duckworth, gymnastics: “Shane Lyons is an extraordinary administrator, but more importantly he’s an amazing person and friend who always puts the welfare of student-athletes and the institution first. He was invaluable during my hiring and transition and I know he will be a tremendous success at West Virginia.”
- Jenny Mainz, women’s tennis: “I’m thrilled that Shane has the opportunity to return to his alma mater to serve as the Director of Athletics at West Virginia. I would be remiss if I did not say he will certainly be missed. He has a great disposition and connected well with our student-athletes. Shane is fun-spirited and has an uncanny ability to communicate with people. He’s been very supportive of our women’s tennis program and helped pull us through many matches. I wish Shane, Emily and their family the best in their new endeavor at West Virginia.”
- George Husack, men’s tennis: “Shane’s professionalism and attention to detail stick out first and foremost with regards to my professional experience with him. On a personal level, his character and passion to help improve our position as an athletic department spoke volumes. I’m so happy for him and this opportunity. I wish him, Emily, Cameron and Brooke nothing but the best.”
- Mitch Gaspard, baseball: “Shane’s communication skills and his professionalism were what stood out the most to me, and they really helped him to be an asset to the University and the Athletics Department. Over the past few years, his family has become a part of the Alabama family, and we will miss them. I want to wish him all the best as he moves on and thank him for all that he did during his time in Tuscaloosa.”
- Dennis Pursley, swimming: “Shane Lyons is an administrator who really understands what it takes to be successful at this level. He always puts the best interest of the athletes and the coaches first. He is a person of great integrity who you can always count on and trust, which are just some of the things that makes him so great to work with. We’re going to miss him around here and we wish him all the best.”
- Dan Waters, track and field: “Shane’s the kind of administrator that, as a coach, you want to have working with you. He listens and is thoughtful, and will follow that up by trying to do whatever he can to make it possible to accomplish your goals. I think the coaches at West Virginia will appreciate his management style and will enjoy working with him.”
- Todd Bramble, soccer: “Shane has lived up to his reputation of being a strong administrator since coming to Alabama from the ACC. He has provided leadership in our department that has been professional and visionary. We are better off for the time he spent here. I’m sure he will have a positive effect on the department in Morgantown.”
- Larry Davis, rowing: “Shane’s presence will be missed. His knowledge, integrity, professionalism and cordial nature made him a very approachable, effective leader and a great asset for our department and university. West Virginia made a wise choice when it selected Shane to lead its athletic department. My best wishes go with him.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
