Soul Names New Member to Coaching Staff

Report From Philadelphia Soul

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia Soul welcome former AFL coach Jon Lyles as the newest member of the 2018 coaching staff. Lyles will be the Soul’s Offensive/Defensive Line Coach for the remainder of the season, filling the vacancy created when Assistant Head Coach and Line Coach Phil Bogle left to pursue an opportunity with the NFL League Office.

“We are happy to have Coach Lyles here with us,” said Soul Head Coach Clint Dolezel. “He has a lot of great experience and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Lyles has been attributed with “turning around offenses where ever he has landed,” (Beyond Sports Network, 2017). Most recently, he served as the Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Shanghai Skywalkers of the China American Football League, where was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 2017 and worked with current Soul players including Wide Receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku and Defensive Lineman Willie McGinnis. Lyles’ AFL experience includes time on the coaching staffs of both the Pittsburgh Power and the New Orleans VooDoo. In 2013 under the direction of Lyles, the Power went from averaging 27.3 points per game to 42.9 points per game.

In 2012, Lyles became the head coach at his college alma mater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, where he led the team to their first win against their biggest rival in 28 years. Prior to this, he spent time as the Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator of the af2 Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings from 2007-2009 Lyles was named af2 Assistant Coach of the Year during that stint and, as he has with many other teams, led the offenses he encountered to improvement and victory.

Lyles played collegiately at Oklahoma Panhandle State University as a wide receiver, totaling over 170 receptions, 2,400 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns during his career.

“I’m just humbled to have the opportunity to be here,” said Lyles. “Clint and I have faced off against each other many times so it’s great to be able to finally work WITH him.”

Lyles will be on the sideline this weekend as the Soul travel to Albany to take on the Empire. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm on Saturday, June 16^th and fans can watch the game on CBS Sports Network or listen live on 97.5 The Fanatic.