David Groves became the sixth head coach of the Lyon College Men’s soccer program on May 18, 2018.
During Groves’ tenure, the Scots are 48-23-4 overall, 28-7-2 in the American Midwest Conference, and 25-5-2 in the months of October and November. Groves holds a 70-37-7 overall record as a collegiate head coach, including a 37-7-2 record during the months of October and November. Lyon has participated in the national tournament in two of four years and the AMC tournament championship game in three of four years, winning the tournament in 2021. Groves has coached five All-Americans during his time with the Scots. Prior to Groves' tenure, the Scots had one All-American.
The Scots the 2021 season winning their first (American Midwest Conference League) and second title (American Midwest Conference Tournament Championship) in program history. In addition, Lyon won their first national tournament game in the program's 20 year history. They finished the season ranked #19 in the country (the highest final rankings in program history) and a 15-5-1 overall record (7-0-1 in the AMC). Groves was named AMC Coach of the Year upon conclusion of the season.
Lyon completed an improvised 2021 season with a 7-4-2 overall record and 5-2-1 in the AMC. Lyon went remote in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lyon finished the season placed third in the AMC without playing all the scheduled games. Season ended after losing in penalties to nationally ranked Missouri Baptist in the AMC Semifinals. This was the only time in Groves' tenure that the Scots did not compete in the AMC Championship Game.
Lyon concluded the 2019 season with a 15-6-1 overall record and 9-1-1 in the AMC. The 15 wins set the program record for wins. The Scots concluded the regular season receiving votes in the national rankings. Lyon finished runner-up in the AMC and AMC Tournament, falling to national powerhouse, No.2 ranked Columbia College. The Scots also made an appearance in the national tournament for only the second time in their program history. The historic season ended with a 3-1 loss to 2017 and 2018 National Finalists, Missouri Valley College.
In his first season with Lyon, the Scots finished 4
th in the AMC and runner-up in the AMC Tournament. Lyon held an 11-8 overall record while going 7-4 in the AMC. The Scots won their previous five contests en route to the AMC Tournament Final, including a 1-0 victory on the road to previously undefeated Columbia College. Lyon was predicted to finish 8
th in the preseason polls after concluding the previous season with a 6-8-2 overall record.
Prior to Lyon College, Groves led the Northeastern Junior College men’s soccer program to a 22-14-3 overall record in his two seasons with the Plainsmen. The program's record previous to Groves’ arrival was 10-54-1.
The 2017 Plainsmen finished with a 13-8 overall record. NJC finished the season as one of the most in form teams in the country, winning seven games in a row during the month of October, eventually falling in the regional championship game. The 13 wins set the school record and Groves was subsequently named the region coach of the year.
The 2016 Plainsmen finished with a 9-6-3 overall record. The Plainsmen once again finished the season as one of the most in form teams in the country, winning five games in a row during the month of October. The nine wins set the school record and the 2016 Plainsmen team were statistically the most improved team in all levels of NJCAA men’s soccer after a winless 2015 season.
Prior to coming to Northeastern Junior College, Coach Groves served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division 1, Western Michigan University.
The 2015 Broncos finished with an 11-4-4 overall record, going 4-1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. WMU set a new school record for shutouts, posting 12, including clean sheets against five of its last six regular season opponents. WMU went undefeated in its last seven regular season games. Nationally, the Broncos cracked the Top 25 for the first time in school history. In the classroom, Western Michigan carried one of the top five team GPAs among Division I schools with a 3.44 team GPA.
The 2014 Broncos finished with an 8-7-4 overall record. During the regular season, Western Michigan defeated Akron for just the third time in school history, knocking off the No.19 Zips 1-0 on the road. The loss was Akron’s second MAC regular-season loss over the previous eight seasons. The Broncos also defeated in-state rival Michigan in Ann Arbor, taking down the Wolverines 1-0. In the classroom, Western Michigan carried one of the top 5 team GPAs among Division I schools with a 3.41 team GPA.
In addition to coaching at WMU, Groves served as the head women’s soccer coach at Plainwell High School, holding an overall record of 39-17-5. Before joining the Broncos, Groves led the Kalamazoo Central men’s soccer program to a 38-24-3 overall record. Groves additionally served as a director and staff coach at the Kalamazoo Kingdom Soccer Club. He earned his Master of Arts degree in 2015 and Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2009, both from Western Michigan University.
| David Groves Head Coaching Record |
Overall |
Conference |
| 2018 Season |
11-8 |
7-4-0 AMC |
| 2019 Season |
15-6-1 |
9-1-1 AMC |
| 2020 Season |
7-4-2 |
5-2-1 AMC |
| 2021 Season |
15-5-1 |
7-0-1 AMC |
| Overall Record (4 Years) |
48-23-3 |
28-7-2 AMC |
