News Detail
SJ23 Announces new Coaches
Please welcome Jared Lyons and Ryan Sandford to the SJ23 community.
Jared Lyons
Jared Lyons will begin his first season at St. Johns XXIII College Preparatory as Head Coach of the Lady Lions Girls Basketball program for the 2020-2021 season.
Coach Lyons is from Austin, Tx and has been involved with college basketball over 15 years and as assistant coach for 8 of those years. Most recently, as an assistant men’s basketball coach for Prairie View A&M University from 2017-2019. Coach Lyons was part of the Prairie View A&M University Men’s Basketball NCAA Tournament Team (2018-2019).
During his time at PVAMU, Coach Lyons assisted in recruiting, player development, operations and all areas of academic excellence.
Prior to PVAMU, Coach Lyons was the assistant men’s basketball coach at Jacksonville College (2016-2017) where he helped guide the Jaguars to the NJCAA Region 14 Conference Tournament. In addition, he helped coach Ben Nakwassah, the program leading scorer (avg. 23.5 ppg) and earn first team selection honors for Region 14. Ben ended up signing with Utah Valley State and is now playing professional basketball overseas.
Next, as an assistant coach for men’s basketball, Coach Lyons spent seasons at Cameron University (2015-2016), Huston-Tillotson University (2014-2015), Provision Academy (2012-2014) and Fort Scott Community College (2011-2012).
Finally, Coach Lyons is no stranger to the Houston, Tx area. After completing his degree in Kinesiology from the University of Houston (2009). He began his coaching career at Lutheran South Academy (2009-2010) and Episcopal High School (2010-2011).
Ryan Sandford
St. Johns is excited to announce that Ryan Sandford will be the Varsity Boys Head Coach for the 2020 season. Sandford comes to the lions boasting a resume with international, men's professional, women's professional, high school, youth and grassroots coaching experience, having worked in many different countries across the globe. He will have particular oversight of boys soccer and will work closely with veteran Girls Head Coach Zayne Ramirez to develop and strengthen all aspects of soccer at St. Johns.
Sandford, born in Wellington, New Zealand, is a student of the game and says "the best aspect about the greatest game in the world....there is so much opportunity to learn and grow". He describes his own playing career as "decent", without getting overly excited, he played for semi professional clubs in New Zealand's regional leagues and made some appearances for Miramar Rangers in the National League. He was a New Zealand Secondary Schools (High School representative team) trialist and also an Under 20 National team squad member, however he always saw his futur in the game in the coaching ranks and secured his first fulltime coaching gig at 21 years old.
When asked about his high school soccer memories Sandford had many, "I had GREAT memories of High School soccer, but also of other sports as I juggled 3 sports at the highest level (Varsity level in America) for 2 years - Soccer, Basketball and Cricket (I would suggest googling "cricket the sport"). Our soccer team punched above it's weight massively in my 6th form year (American equivalent is Junior year), we had a fantastic team dynamic, we were very good friends off the field and while we weren't the most technically gifted on the pitch we sure knew how to work hard for each other!. That team sounds like it was what Greek Philosopher, Aristotle, meant by his famous quote the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.
St. John XXIII College Preparatory forms the hearts and minds of young men and women in a Christ-centered community dedicated to academic excellence, the pursuit of virtue, and service to others in the Tradition of the Catholic Church.
