Lyle steps down at SA

March 15, 2011

Chris Lyle has stepped down as Starkville Academy's boys basketball coach. (Kim Murrell/SDN)

By Danny P. Smith
sdnsports@bellsouth.net

The administration at Starkville Academy is faced with having to find another boys basketball coach in less than a year.
Chris Lyle has decided to step down after only one season with the Volunteers.
Even though several factors went into Lyle's decision, family matters and looking after his ill father in Florida was at the top of the list.
"I need more time to get down there, help him out and my mom as well," Lyle said. "It got to be a little much in teaching four classes. It was one of things that maybe someone else would be able to handle it best and take them the rest of the way."
Lyle felt like he had the SA boys program headed in the right direction and he hates not being able to see it through.
"I wanted to come back so bad for the kids so we can continue what we were starting and build upon that, but at the same time, I had to look in the mirror and find out what was important in life," Lyle said. "With a wife in vet school and a 3-year-old about to turn 4, there were just a lot of things going on."
The Vols finished the season with a record of 9-20, but it was an eight-game improvement over the previous season.
Missing two games during the season to go see his father was tough on Lyle.
"That was the worse part of the season, wanting to be in two places at once," Lyle said. "Maybe they'll find someone 10 times better than I am and they are going to continue to succeed I know that."
Starkville Academy athletic director Glenn Schmidt said Lyle's resignation was accepted by headmaster John "Doc" Stephens and the school is beginning the process to hire another boys basketball coach.
"We have gotten busy visiting with people who have contacted us about the job," Schmidt said. "We've had some interviews and we're working on it."