Arizona Varsity obtained an email sent to Eastmark football families on Thursday afternoon stating head coach Jason Lyons had stepped down after two seasons with the school.

However, multiple sources familiar with the situation told Arizona Varisty that Lyons was asked by Eastmark’s administration to step down, citing that they wanted to go in a different direction and that Lyons had no say in the matter.

Arizona Varsity reached out to Eastmark athletic director Matthew Akins for a comment on the situation, but received no response at the time this article was first published Thursday evening.

Eastmark wide recievers coach Dawson Moulesong said in a post on X Thursday that Lyons did not have the chance to speak with his team after the school’s email announcing Lyons was stepping down.

Arizona Varsity cannot confirm the reasoning behind Eastmark’s decision to ask Lyons to step away from the program immediately.

On Saturday morning, Arizona Varsity obtained a video of a meeting between Eastmark’s principal, Chris Webb, Akins, and the football team, which took place in Eastmark’s locker room on Friday afternoon.

Sources tell Arizona Varsity the meeting lasted just over two and a half minutes. Webb spoke for just over a minute, while Akins stood off to the side.

Several individuals are heard in a second video obtained by Arizona Varsity booing as players, coaches, and parents in attendance walked out of the locker room.

Sophomore quarterback Dayne Silver took to Instagram Thursday evening to voice his thoughts and appreciation for Lyons.

“Thank you so much, Coach Lyons,” Silver wrote. “You are the best I’ve ever had! You have done so much for me, not only as a man but a football player.

“Crazy how this whole thing is shaking down, but know I will forever have your back.”

Lyons, who was previously the defensive coordinator at Highland, took over as the head coach at Eastmark in 2024 following Travis Dixon’s departure to Hamilton. Lyons accumulated an 11-11 record during his two seasons at Eastmark.

“We appreciate Coach Lyons’ dedication to our student-athletes and the Eastmark community, and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Webb wrote in the email that was sent to Eastmark families. “As we look ahead, we are excited about the future of our football program. We are committed to finding the right leader to build a strong and lasting tradition of excellence both on and off the football field.”

Eastmark was the No. 15 seed in the 4A conference playoffs this season and took down No. 18 Desert Sunrise 42-14 in the first round before falling to No. 2 Snowflake 35-0 in the second round.