SAINT LEO, Fla. — Saint Leo University Vice President of Athletics & Wellness Marcal Lazenby has announced the hiring of Tyson John as the next head coach of the Lions women's soccer program, bringing a veteran leader with experience across NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA women's soccer.

John comes to Saint Leo after four seasons at Fort Hays State, where he helped elevate the Tigers into a consistent NCAA Tournament contender. Over his first three seasons, he compiled a 31-16-14 record and led the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023. His teams were known for their defensive strength, matching the program record with 12 shutouts in back-to-back seasons and ranking among the nation's leaders in goals against average.

"Saint Leo presents an incredible opportunity to build something special with a program that values both competitive excellence and the total development of student-athletes," said new Lions head coach, Tyson John. "The level of competitiveness in this conference is outstanding, and that challenge is something our staff and players are excited to embrace. I'm looking forward to getting to work, connecting with the campus community, and continuing to raise the standard for Lions women's soccer on and off the field."

In 2022, John guided FHSU to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016 with an 11-3-7 record, holding opponents to one goal or fewer in 18 matches. The Tigers followed with a 13-5-3 mark in 2023, the program's most wins since 2016, while again showcasing one of the conference's top defenses and producing multiple all-conference and all-region performers.

John brings 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience and a 152-102-30 overall record across NCAA and NAIA levels. His résumé includes head coaching stops at Lyon College, Martin Methodist College, USC Upstate, and Fort Hays State, where he consistently improved programs and developed high-level talent.

At USC Upstate, John guided the Division I Spartans to program-record win totals, including an 11-win season and a Big South Conference Tournament semifinal appearance. At Martin Methodist, he built a nationally ranked NAIA program, compiling a 74-22-4 record, earning multiple conference titles, and producing 17 All-America selections in five seasons.

John began his collegiate head coaching career at Lyon College, leading the program to a 22-6-3 record over two seasons with double-digit wins each year. Beyond the college game, he has also served in leadership roles in club and academy soccer across several states, emphasizing player development at all levels.

A native of Southern California, John was a standout player at Southern Wesleyan University, earning three NSCAA All-America honors and setting multiple school scoring records. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Management.

"We are excited to welcome Tyson to Saint Leo," said Lazenby. "His experience, leadership, and ability to build competitive, disciplined teams make him a great fit for Lions women's soccer."