Lyon coach resigns

Kirk Kelley, hired in 2013 to restart a Lyon College football program that had been dormant since 1951, resigned less than a week before the start of practice to become an athletic director and baseball coach at an Oklahoma junior college, Lyon Athletic Director Kevin Jenkins said.

The man hired to restart the Lyon College football program resigned less than a week before the start of practice to become an athletic director and baseball coach at an Oklahoma junior college, Lyon Athletic Director Kevin Jenkins said.

Kirk Kelley, hired in 2013 to restart a program that had been dormant since 1951, resigned to return to baseball, which he coached previously at Lyon. The Scots went 0-11 while competing in the NAIA Central States Football League, but Jenkins indicated Kelley was preparing to start their second season until this week.

“It was a surprise to all of us,” Jenkins said. “But his passion and his heart were leaning in another direction, and he thought it was best for he and his family.”

Jenkins promoted Kyle Phelps to permanent head coach. Phelps, a former Lyon baseball player, has been associate head coach, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Scots. Jenkins said he decided to make Phelps his permanent coach to maintain recruiting efforts.

“He’s the guy going forward,” Jenkins said. “Anytime you put an interim in front of a coach’s name, it could stymie recruiting. We feel comfortable with him. He’s done a really good job, and he’s got a good understanding of our institution and he’s got good leadership skills.”

Jenkins said Phelps hopes to hire another assistant coach before the Aug. 25 start of the season against Wayland Baptist at Pioneer Stadium in Batesville.