Papa Bear: Coach Phil Lytle Prepares Asheville Grizzlies for Playoff Run

Coach Phil Lytle (center) gathers the Asheville Grizzles team members to discuss play strategies during their practice session.  Photo: Urban News

By T. J. Moore

It’s a sweltering late May afternoon, and Asheville Grizzlies coach Phil Lytle is preparing his men for another season of Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) action.

Lytle is meticulously evaluating his offensive unit as they shore up
their rushing attack and the routes in their retooled passing game, and
he is also evaluating his defense as they line up in their 3-4 hybrid
base package and testing new ways to knock opposing offenses in the
middle of next week.

This is a scene that Lytle took in time and time again for 36 years as minor league football coach, and it has yet to lose its appeal. With 10 consecutive playoff seasons and six Sweet Sixteen appearances, five Elite Eight appearances, and a couple of trips to the Final Four under his belt for the Grizzlies, it is doubtful that coaching will ever get old to the Minor League Football News (MLFN) and American Football Association (AFA) hall of fame coach.

Asheville Grizzlies coach Phil Lytle.  Photo: Urban News

An alumnus of Appalachian State University and later UNC Asheville, Lytle began his coaching career in 1975 as the head coach of the Asheville Bears. He also coached every version of semi-pro and minor league football in Western North Carolina, leading teams such as the Asheville Chiefs and Carolina Bandits and the Grizzlies to multiple playoff appearances.

During his decorated career, Lytle has also coached countless minor league football all-star games like the Las Vegas Casino Bowl and Minor League Football News, served as the first African American coach at Madison High School, and coached in Italy for the Team USA program. Coaching in a part of the world where “football” means “soccer” provided an avenue of opportunity for Lytle and a few of his players.

“They have a minor league system close to the ones we have here in the states,” Lytle says. “It’s a nice avenue for players to make a little bit of money and to see the world.”

Speaking of opportunity, the Grizzlies have a great one this season. Asheville will host this year’s GDFL’s National Championship and All-Star Game in September, and playing in that championship game is the Grizzlies’ goal for this season.

Coming off a 9-6 campaign last year, The Grizzlies are hoping to go further into the playoffs and defending home field in the championship game. To help them get to the coveted game, the Grizzlies have addressed a couple of last season’s issues.

“Our defense is our strongest (area) but it had problems containing the spread offense (of some opponents) last year,” Lytle explains. “So, we added concepts to the 3-3-5 stack to get more effective zone coverage.”

One of the keys of the new defensive concepts may be found up front. Last season, the Grizzlies converted running back Jeff Byrd to defensive end, and the switch turned out to be beneficial.

“We played him (Byrd) on the weak side and he did great. He came in last year at 260 but he dropped some weight. Now at 220, he can still play the position because what he lacks in weight, he makes up in quickness and speed,” Lytle said.

The offense’s improvement is a little more intensive. The Grizzlies had some problems throwing the ball last season. With the addition of Cody Craig and Michael Byrd, the Grizzlies are serious about finding their quarterback solution.

“We always had a strong running game. Our problem is in the passing,” Lytle says. “This year, we have two new quarterbacks, and both of them looked good in the preseason as they battle to secure the number one spot.”

Lytle wants his team to be tough on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Securing the number one spot in the league is what Lytle envisioned for the Grizzlies when he took over the team in 2000. While some coaches are known for either offense or defense, Lytle wanted his team to be tough on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“I’m both offensive- and defensive-minded. It is known that defense wins ballgames, while the offense sell the tickets and put people in the seats. I established the defense first but I gave equal importance to my offense,” Lytle said.

Lytle’s hands-on approach also carried to the front office. At one point in his tenure, Lytle also served as owner of the team. The dual duty was tough but Lytle took it in stride, and so did the team.

“It was extremely difficult (to own and coach the team). It was extremely difficult to generate enough funds to operate from year to year. We were running on a shoestring budget and all the while, we were making the playoffs,” Lytle said.

Helping Lytle in coaching and coordinating duties is his son, Deon. The younger Lytle took their 3-35 stack defenses and redefined it.

“He was able to take the defense, and take all the nuances and made it his own,” Lytle says of his son. “He is a tremendous x’s-and-o’s person.”

At one point, Lytle had another son coaching along with him. For a few years, Lytle’s oldest son Kelce served as the Grizzlies’ offensive line coach. Being able to coach alongside of both of his sons was one of Lytle’s proudest moments.

“Having both boys coaching with me was an honor,” Lytle says. “Both of them played football for most of their lives and coaching gave them an avenue to be around the game just like it did for me.”

In a sense, Lytle is also coaching his “sons” because the Grizzlies are such a tight team. Lytle says that that there are players who are based in cities were there are minor league teams but chose to drive to Asheville and play for him because of the family atmosphere of the team, and the fatherly manner he has with the players.

“As a head coach, a lot of times, you become a surrogate father and a father figure to some of these players,” Lytle explains. “I’ve been asked to make toasts and speeches at some of my players’ weddings. I’ve also been asked to be a best man and to give away brides. I have also been able to give my players the opportunity to return to school through playing football.”

Recently, Lytle helped former players Roger Reed, Landon Green, and Pierre Geneve earn scholarships to Mars Hill and Livingstone respectively.

“These moments make me as happy as any win I have,” he said.

The Grizzlies will kick off the season June 4th as they travel to Lake Norman to take on the Fear. A week later on June 11th, the Grizzlies will host the Carolina Falcons in the home opener.