Prior to joining Auburn, Byerley led Francis Marion to a 73-26 record as the team's head coach. He guided the Patriots to a 36-9 mark in 2003, then bettered that a year later, going 37-17. In 2003, Francis Marion earned its first ever national ranking in Division II play.
Byerley served as the top assistant at the University of Florida from 2000-02, helping lead the Gators to an NCAA Regional appearance in 2001. With Florida, Byerley was responsible for working with the team's infielders and hitting, recruiting and team travel.
A pioneer and strong promoter of fastpitch softball, Byerley started the fastpitch program at Central Alabama Community College in 1996. He saw immediate success with the Trojans, posting a 205-47 record from 1996-2000. While with Central Alabama, Byerley guided the Trojans to four conference titles (1997-2000) and made three consecutive trips to nationals. He earned Alabama Junior College Athletic Association Coach of the Year honors in 1997 and 2000.
While with the Trojans, Byerley also served for four years as the president of the AJCA Coaches Association and was the chairman for the NJCAA All-American selection committee. Taking the chance to impact more athletic lives, Byerley also coached the Central Alabama volleyball program for four seasons.
Byerley had a long tenure at Robertsdale (Ala.) High School, heading the program from 1989-1996. However, in 1995, he may have made his biggest impact, starting the fastpitch program at Robertsdale. In two seasons as head coach of the fastpitch program, Byerley was 107-9 as his teams claimed back-to-back state titles.
Prior to that, Byerley guided the slowpitch program at Robertsdale from 1989-94, making the state tournament five consecutive times. Overall, as the head coach of Robertsdale High School softball, Byerley compiled a 211-46 record.
The Albuquerque, N.M., native graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1981 with a bachelor of science in physical education and health. He and his wife, the former Barbara O'Berry, have four children: the late Jennifer, and sons Brien (24), J.J. (15) and Blake (14).