Cyril Byron served as the head men’s basketball coach and athletic director at Coppin State. He spent 23 years at Coppin State where he served as the Chairman of the Science and Mathematics Department, Dean of Education and the President of the Faculty Senate. He later served as an administrator at the Community College of Baltimore from 1976-1985. Byron was the athletic director and the Associate Dean of the Division of Natural Sciences, Health and Physical Education. Prior to his time in the academic world, Byron proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army Air Force 99th fighter squadron, the first, and at the time the only, black Air Force unit. The 99th fighter squadron is popularly known as the Red Tails.