The 'Cats assistant coach and recruiting coordinator returns to Evanston for her fifth season to help bridge the program’s transition under Carla Berube.
Though Northwestern women's basketball is entering a new era under head coach Carla Berube, the program has brought back familiar faces deeply connected to the Wildcats.
According to the team's announcement on Tuesday, former Northwestern player and assistant coach Maggie Lyon will return for her fifth season on the coaching staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
A proud local product from Wilmette, Ill., Lyon began her Northwestern stardom as a first-year in the 2012-13 season, averaging 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists en route to being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She increased her scoring output throughout the rest of three years in Evanston, posting a career-best 16.8 points per game as a senior in 2015-16.
Lyon was also a member of three Northwestern teams that earned postseason berths, appearing in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and making WNIT trips in 2014 and 2016. Her contributions helped establish Northwestern as a competitive program in the Big Ten during her playing years.
After college, Lyon pursued a brief professional playing career. She earned a training camp contract with the WNBA's Chicago Sky and later spent one season in Spain with Universitario de Ferrol in Liga Feminina.
After a short professional stint, Lyon began her coaching career in 2021-22 as video coordinator at Loyola University Chicago under head coach Kate Achter, quickly earning a promotion to assistant coach. In her lone season there, the Ramblers went 18-12 (10-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference) — the program's most wins since 1988-89.
Mar 20, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Maggie Lyon (25) grabs a rebound during the second half against the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks at Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesIn May 2022, Lyon returned to Northwestern as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under head coach Joe McKeown, her former coach as a player. Entering her fifth season in the role, Lyon's responsibilities will stay the same as before, including recruiting coordination, on-court coaching, player development and leveraging her deep ties to the program and local area basketball networks.
Worth noting, the 'Cats also brought back former Northwestern player Alissa Guth, who previously coached at Loyola, now serving as chief of staff under Berube heading into the 2026-27 season.
Under Berube's new era in the 'Cats, having familiar faces like Lyon provides continuity for the team during the offseason transition and rebuild. Her local connections, playing legacy and recruiting expertise make her invaluable as Berube establishes her vision for the program.
With five transfer additions already secured for next season, or more to come, Lyon's recruiting work will be crucial as Northwestern seeks to return to Big Ten competitiveness.
