Eagles alum Lyles takes over as women’s basketball head coach
- Jason Hanes
- November 15, 2024
- Athletics
- Contributors: James Greco, Photos
3 – minute read
A new era dawned for Florida Gulf Coast University women’s basketball as Chelsea Lyles was named head coach — only the second person to hold that position in program history.
“Chelsea Lyles is a longtime Eagle, having played for the team as a student and risen through the coaching ranks over the past 16 years,” said FGCU President Aysgeul Timur. “I’m very confident in Chelsea’s ability to continue our team’s momentum and to take us to the next level.”
“It is with great enthusiasm and support that I announce Chelsea Lyles as the second head coach of FGCU women’s basketball,” said Colin Hargis, FGCU director of athletics. “Chelsea has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to FGCU and the women’s basketball program over the last 16 years. She is prepared to lead the Eagles in the next chapter of our women’s basketball program, and I am excited for our student-athletes to learn from Coach Lyles’ leadership.”
The team’s longtime assistant coach, Lyles will be in charge for the first time Sunday, Nov. 17, as the Eagles play their home opener against New Jersey Institute of Technology. The contest starts at 1 p.m. at Alico Arena, with tickets available by calling 1-866-FGCU-TIX (342-8849).
“I am absolutely excited and prepared to be the next FGCU women’s basketball head coach,” said Lyles, who succeeds founding head coach Karl Smesko. He stepped down to become head coach of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.
“I am so grateful to Karl, and it was my honor to work for and learn from one of the legends of college basketball. I congratulate him on his success and in his new position leading the Dream. I will be his biggest fan in his future championship endeavors.
“Being FGCU’s second head coach, leading the program at my alma mater, is my dream,” Lyles continued. “I want to thank Colin Hargis and President Timur for their confidence in me to lead this incredible program. These young women are special, and we are ready to continue the Eagles’ legacy together. I’m excited and ready for the season ahead, and I am focusing on our game against NJIT.”
A 2010 FGCU graduate, Lyles began her coaching career as a student assistant in 2010-11. After a one-year stint in that role, she officially joined the staff as an assistant coach in 2011, serving until being named the recruiting coordinator in summer 2014. She was promoted to associate head coach under Smesko in 2019. Lyles entered the 2023-24 season in her sixth year as an associate head coach with a 148-20 record.
Before her coaching career, Lyles spent two years (2008-10) as a player under the direction of Smesko. During that time, the Eagles won an Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship and earned back-to-back WNIT automatic bids as the team wasn’t eligible for the NCAA Tournament until 2011-12.
Overall, Lyles was a two-time First Team All-ASUN selection and led the team to a 50-12 record overall and a 34-6 mark in ASUN play. As a senior, she produced double-digit scoring 21 times.
Including her time as a student-athlete, Lyles has been a part of 24 combined Atlantic Sun Conference championships.