| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 23, 1924 Elmira Heights, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 23, 1976 (aged 51) Troy, New York, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1942 | Syracuse (freshman) |
| c. 1944 | North Carolina Pre-Flight |
| 1945–1946 | Colgate |
| Position(s) | Quarterback, end |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| c. 1947 | Springfield (GA) |
| 1948–1952 | Clyde HS (NY) |
| 1953–1954 | Wellsville Central HS (NY) |
| 1955–1957 | RPI |
| 1958–1966 | Ithaca |
| 1967–1972 | Army (DC) |
| Basketball | |
| 1948–1953 | Clyde HS (NY) |
| 1953–1955 | Wellsville Central HS (NY) |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1972–1976 | RPI |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 53–38 (college football) 39–14–4 (high school football) |
Richard Smith Lyon (October 23, 1924 – September 23, 1976) was an American football player and coach and athletic administrator. He played college football as a quarterback at Colgate University (1945–1946) and held coaching positions at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (head coach, 1955–1957), Ithaca College (head coach, 1958–1966), and the United States Military Academy (defensive coordinator, 1967–1972). He also served as athletic director at RPI from 1972 until his death in 1976.