INTERVIEW WITH DR. MIKE LYONS FROM MORGAN STATE'S LEGENDARY "THE QUIET STORM" DEFENSE

In an interview with The Washington Post, Morgan State football coach Clarence Thomas stated that nose guard Dr. Mike Lyons was one of the "unsung heroes" of that fierce unit. HBCU GLORY is pleased to present this interview with Dr. Lyons in writing before it is later part of the show and an accompanying movie about The Quiet Storm.

*In an era of great defenses, The Quiet Storm was one of the best in the college ranks. What made that happen?

 When I reflect on what made “The Quiet Storm” defense as one of the best, I think about the traditions and winning legacy that Morgan had built. For example, it was a Morgan tradition for freshmen football players to have their hair cut-off by returning players, and then recite the school song. This was a tradition that ensured bonding and respect. Because of this old tradition, we had become close friends on and off the field. That friendship is the same today as it was in 1976. Each member on the Quiet Storm defense was highly skilled and excelled in their positions and roles on defense. We played well as a team and had high expectations. We were a bunch of disciplined guys that came together at the right time! 

To enhance winning, Coach Thomas would hand out railroad spikes to any member of the defense whose performance merited recognition. This was an added incentive to compete at a higher level. Coach Thomas wanted players who displayed good character and disciplined.

*What did you think when Coach Clarence Thomas told you practice was at 6:30 in the morning?

I had no concept of time when I was younger. I would stay up late regardless of when we practiced. I was accustomed to practicing twice a day regardless of the time. It was hard rising that early in the morning to practice, but I enjoyed meeting the guys at the cafeteria for breakfast and joking around before practice.

*Other than practice at 6:30 in the morning, what was different about Coach Thomas that made Morgan so great?

Coach Thomas was not a coach who yelled or belittled his players. He was a teacher of the sport. He wanted each player to know their individual position and role on defense. Coach Thomas was a motivator who inspired us to play good football. He wanted his players to be successful on and off the field. It helped that Coach Thomas and his staff were young and could relate to us as players.

*What was so different about The Quiet Storm defense than other teams you were on, before and after?

During my first two years under Coach Lattimore, we were a physical team that was hampered by injuries that were sustained during practices. We practiced so hard, by game time we were too beat up to perform at a high level. In contrast, Coach Thomas was a teacher of the game and taught technique. We practice hard but not as physical. Our practices consisted of drills and walk-throughs. There were maybe two days of hard hitting.

*Did you learn anything from playing for Coach Thomas and playing with the others that has helped you succeed in life?

For me, I learned more about character and caring for family. Coach Thomas and Lattimore emphasized building character and being respectful. Both coaches modeled good character and were always respectful.

*What made you go to Morgan?

My high school football and wrestling coach was a graduate student coach at Morgan State. Coach Hepfner drove me to campus where I was introduced and met Coach Phil. Coach Phil was an assistant football and head wrestling coach at Morgan. Coach Phil had group of students to escort me around campus. After the campus tour, Coach Phil offered me a full scholarship on the spot.

 *You played against one of the best college quarterbacks in history, Doug Williams. What did you think the first time he threw the ball your way?

When I played against Doug in Yankee stadium, I wasn’t enarmed by his arm. I was impressed with how well Grambling ran the ball and their blocking scheme. Their offensive line was massive and could block very well. Their players seemed much faster and a little bigger than us.

 *Does it surprise you to see so many HBCU players succeed in the pros? There are more than 30 HBCU players in the NFL. Morgan has Joshua Miles now with Arizona, for example, not to mention sending one of the best linebackers in Willie Lanier and one of the best tight ends in Raymond Chester to The Show.  

Not at all…I am surprised there are not more players from HBCU(s) playing professionally. I had a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys and two Canadian teams. There were at least nine members on the Quiet Storm defense that had tryouts with professional teams. Elvis Franks and Mike Holston were the only two players drafted from the 79 team. A lack of media exposure is hurting and hindering players from HBCUs from getting drafted or an opportunity to play professionally.

*Did going to one of the premier HBCUs help you succeed in life?

Graduating from a HBCU has more than prepared me for success in life. I went on to get my doctorate degree from the University of California-Berkeley. I have worked as a School Psychologist, Principal, Director, and Assistant Superintendent. I was Chairman of San Jose City Human Rights Commission and one of the founders of the San Jose Omega Foundation. My daughter graduated from Spelman University and is now an attorney. My son will graduate from South Carolina State University with an Economics degree.

*When asked about The Quiet Storm, Dr Mike Lyons, the nose tackled, reflected that it was, "One of Morgan State's best defenses. Men of Character, both on and off the field."

Looking back, what does that mean to you now that as a grown man when you were a teenager when you were playing for The Quiet Storm?

The guys that played on the Quiet Storm defense are men of good character. These guys have gone on to get advance degrees and have done well in their careers and communities. These guys have provided their families with a financial and stable life. They have made sure their children attended and graduated from college. Now that we are older, we try to support Morgan State football team financially and are mentors to the younger players. We are progressive in our thinking and teachers of character like our former coaches.

 *What did Coach Thomas mean in terming you one of the "unsung heroes" of The Quiet Storm?

I think Coach Thomas recognized that I wasn’t getting the publicity like some of my teammates but understood that I had performed and excelled exceptionally well on the football field. I didn’t always get the recognition when I blocked punts, sacked quarterbacks, or made tackles. I too was a leader on the 79 team, and he appreciated my contribution. The previous year, I was the starting middle linebacker. Going into the 79 season, Coach Thomas asked me to played nose guard because of my aggressiveness and quickness. He thought Maurice Brooks was too small to play nose guard and was too good to sit on the bench. Without hesitation I replied yes!