Shane Lyons Hired As UA Executive Deputy Director Of Athletics, COO

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne on Monday announced that longtime athletics administrator Shane Lyons will return to the Capstone to serve as the athletic department's executive deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer.

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Lyons served as deputy director of athletics at Alabama from 2011-15, before going on to spent the next eight years as athletic director and associate vice president at West Virginia.

"Shane is a well-respected administrator in college athletics who brings a variety of experiences and wealth of knowledge to Alabama," Byrne said. "We are thrilled to have Shane back in Tuscaloosa to join our executive leadership team."

UA said that during his first stretch in Tuscaloosa, Lyons oversaw the budget and management of the day-to-day operations of the department while assisting with the vision and leadership of Alabama Athletics.

Lyons is also credited for playing a key role in the renegotiation of Alabama's multimedia rights agreement that started in 2014, along with involvement in hiring of head coaches and capital projects totaling more than $85 million.

"I want to thank Greg Byrne for this tremendous opportunity to return to The University of Alabama," he said. "I have great respect for Greg and Alabama Athletics, and I am looking forward to returning to Tuscaloosa. My previous time at Alabama provided me with great opportunities, and I am eager to join Greg's team and help the Crimson Tide continue to have one of the best and most successful departments in the nation."

With 35 years of experience in athletics administration, the 2021 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year is recognized as a leader in the space having held positions at the national level as well as two NCAA Division I FBS institutions and two Division I conference offices.

"I want to thank Greg Byrne for this tremendous opportunity to return to The University of Alabama," said Lyons. "I have great respect for Greg and Alabama Athletics, and I am looking forward to returning to Tuscaloosa. My previous time at Alabama provided me with great opportunities, and I am eager to join Greg's team and help the Crimson Tide continue to have one of the best and most successful departments in the nation."

Lyons is a native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in sport management from West Virginia.

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