Young coach fueled by love of football

The Lions have selected Chandler Tygard to coach the football team’s defensive line.

Throughout the years Tygard has worked for a number of the best NCAA defensive coordinators.

“I love football!” Tygard exclaimed.

“I played football since I was in fifth or sixth grade and all the way up through high school and all that; didn’t play in college though.”

Tygard started his coaching career in his freshman year of college, working as a coach for middle school football.

Tygard then went on to be the student assistant for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. He worked breaking down film and running the scout team for the offensive line.

As a student assistant Tygard worked with a team that had a defense ranked 11th in the country in 2008.

“Football is great, you know? ‘Cause it teaches you life lessons. You have to be mentally tough, you gotta persevere,” Tygard explained.

“You have to learn to deal with someone yelling at you all the time. It makes you tough as a person and a man. From middle school through high school you’re dealing with that. I think it helps them after they’re done playing.

“They’re ready to take on the world, they aren’t worried about their boss yelling at them because they’re used to the football coach yelling at them.”

In 2009, after graduating from Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in history, Tygard continued his work at the school.

He assisted with special teams and the management of the defensive playbook.

The following year, Tygard took over as defensive quality control coach for Tennessee.

After three seasons with the Volunteers, Tygard served as the defensive line and special teams coach for the Patriots at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky.

In 2012, Tygard’s first season with the Patriots came to an end with a 10-2 record and a seventh NAIA national ranking.

The same season Tygard led the defensive line to a 10th national rank in rushing defense, eighth in sacks and set a school record of eight total kicks blocked.

“Chandler is a young coach,” Head Football Coach Daryl Daye said. “He’s a very young and aggressive coach that I think is going to do very well here. He fits a lot of slots and he’ll fit in just fine here.”

Tygard is excited to be a Lion and ready for the 2013 season to begin.