BATESVILLE, Ark. – Lyon College head football coach Chris Douglas has announced the hiring of Zach Ruot as the new defensive coordinator.

Ruot comes to Lyon after serving as the Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator and defensive backs coach at MacMurray College during the 2019 season.

"We are extremely excited to be able to add a coach of the quality of Coach Ruot," said Douglas. "We've worked together two different times, so it has been gratifying to see him start as a young coach and then mature. Coach Ruot brings a high work ethic, sharp mind and creativity to training that is unique. He is not afraid to stretch the boundaries of normal convention. We can't wait to get to work together with our current coaching staff to continue to build the football program."

Prior to his time at MacMurray, Ruot spent three seasons at UW-Eau Claire, where he served as the defensive line coach and the strength and conditioning coordinator. During his tenure, he also worked as the Kick-off Coordinator and safeties coach. While at UW-Eau Claire, he helped the defense decrease the red zone and third-down conversion rates. Eau Claire finished 14th in the nation in red-zone defense and ninth in sacks during Ruot's final year on the staff.

Ruot spent two seasons at Luther College before his time at Eau Claire, coaching the receivers and tight ends, as well as being the recruiting coordinator. Ruot also spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons at MacMurray as both the linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coordinator.

Ruot began his coaching career at Jacksonville High School (Ill.) where he was the varsity receivers coach. Following his stint at JHS, he worked on the staff at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as the Strength and Conditioning Intern.

Ruot is a 2012 graduate of Illinois College, where he earned three letters with the Blueboys.

Football Contact: Matt Jagodzinski | 870-307-7516 | matthew.jagodzinski@lyon.edu
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