UNC Softball set to hire Megan Smith Lyon as head coach
The UNC softball program has found its new leader, as Megan Smith Lyon is reportedly returning to Chapel Hill as the team’s new head coach.
It’s no secret that the University of North Carolina likes to fill its coaching vacancies “within the family.”
The UNC softball head coaching position seems to be no different.
Coaching Scoop: Megan Smith Lyon is set to be the next head coach of @UNCSoftball. A Tar Heel program alum, she spent the last five years as Marshall head coach.https://t.co/cfczRjQbWx
— Justin McLeod (@justfactsmaam) June 11, 2023
As first reported by Extra Innings Softball, former UNC softball player and assistant coach Megan Smith Lyon will be hired as the program’s new head coach. She will replace Donna Papa, who retired after 38 seasons at the helm.
Smith Lyon has led the Marshall softball program over the past five seasons, earning a 160-70 record over that span. This past season, Marshall put together a 23-game winning streak, the longest in program history.
Prior to her five-year run at Marshall, Smith Lyon spent nine seasons as head coach at Kansas, as she led the Jayhawks to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. She also has served on the coaching staff at LSU, North Carolina, and Charlotte to go along with additional head coaching stints at Western Carolina and Young Harris College.
The Tar Heels are coming off a disappointing 26-28 season, as they hope that Smith Lyon could help lead the program back to being one of the best teams in all of college softball.
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