A well-known, successful coach at several different levels throughout San Diego County, Lyle Tomlinson enters his fourth season with the San Diego State women's lacrosse team, as he works primarily works Aztecs' goalkeepers. He was part of a staff that helped the Aztecs garner 19 MPSF all-academic honors and 11 all-conference selections, appearing in consecutive MPSF Tournaments in 2014 and 2015.
Tomlinson's guidance had a major impact on San Diego State's play in the cage in 2015. He coached Spain Women's National Team member Katrina Reeves to a starting role during her sophomore season, a campaign that saw her average 6.65 saves per game, which ranked fourth in the conference, while her .382 save percentage was good for fifth. In addition, Reeves finished the season tied for third in the MPSF with a team-leading 40 ground balls (2.35/gm).
Under Tomlinson's tutelage in the 2014 season, SDSU freshmen goalkeepers Katrina Reeves and Katie Merritt combined to play all 976 minutes in the net for the Aztecs. Reeves recorded 91 saves and ranked fifth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) with a .384 save percentage. She tallied a season-high 15 saves against UC Davis on March 16 en route to earning MPSF Defensive Player of the Week honors, and also recorded 13 saves on the road against USC on March 26.
In 2013, Tomlinson coached SDSU's all-time saves leader Sammy Slattery to the best single season by an Aztec goalkeeper in program history. Slattery racked up 121 saves during her senior season with a .416 save percentage and a 11.70 goals against average, as San Diego State finished the season 8-8.
Prior to San Diego State, Tomlinson coached the Wahoo's u-11 team to the championship of both the 2011 LAX Invitational and the 2011 L.A. Invitational. He was also head coach of the Del Mar Bears Lacrosse Club from 2009-11, leading the team to the Starz Cup championship in 2010.
Tomlinson was the head coach at Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif., from 2006-09, guiding the Norsemen to their first CIF playoff appearance in the program's third year of existence in 2008. Before coaching on the high-school level, Tomlinson was head coach at Francis Parker Middle School in 2006-07 and led the team to the SDCLA championship game in 2007. He was previously head coach at La Jolla High School from 1999-2002, as the Vikings made the SDCLA Playoffs in 2000 and the CIF playoffs in 2002. The 2000 team produced one All-American, a Goalie of the Year and five all-league selections.
Tomlinson has had articles written on him in Inside Lacrosse, The New Yorker and Major League Lacrosse for his stick stringing abilities. He is the creator of the well-known "Pocket 34 and the Double Bag" which is used by professional, NCAA, MCLA and some of the top high school programs in the nation. Tomlinson continues to consult with and help the growth and awareness of several boys and girls lacrosse teams throughout Southern California.