Rick Lyster joined the Fordham staff in July of 2020 after serving as a defensive quality control coach at Army West Point the previous two years. Lyster will be in charge of the Rams’ outside linebackers in 2020.

Lyster joined the Army West Point staff in November of 2018 as the Black Knights defeated Navy for the third straight year and went on to defeat Houston, 70-14, in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. Army West Point finished eighth in total defense in the NCAA FBS and tenth in rushing defense that season.

Lyster arrived at West Point after a three-year stint at Georgia Tech where he served as a graduate assistant. He spent the 2017 season working with the defensive line where he was responsible for weekly implementation of defensive line assignments and ran on-field drills that worked with defensive ends.

From 2015-16 Lyster assisted with the Yellow Jacket linebackers, and was responsible for helping the defensive staff with weekly tasks and handling the breakdown of the opponent’s film. He also helped defensive coordinator Ted Roof with organizational details, practice preparation, and weekly game plan materials.

Prior to Georgia Tech, Lyster spent one season at Monmouth University as a defensive assistant. While there he handled weekly game responsibilities for the defensive staff and was in charge of compiling the scouting report for each opponent and delivering it to the players. Lyster also helped with film breakdown of opponents, while handling all data implementation for opponent film. During his time with the Hawks, he coached Second Team All-Big South Linebacker John Sieczkowski as well.

Before heading to Monmouth, Lyster was a strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, Lafayette College, where he assisted the head strength coach in devising programs for many athletic teams, while helping with daily operations.

Lyster was a team captain and defensive lineman for the Leopards during his collegiate career. He was a first team All-Patriot League selection on defense as a senior in 2012 and was a second teamer in 2011. Lyster earned a pair of bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and Government and Law in 2013. He received his Master’s in Building Construction and Facility Management in 2017 from Georgia Tech. 

He and his wife, Lauren, reside in White Plains.