Byrd was head coach for the UNA women’s basketball team for 16 seasons from 1983-98. He had a record of 232 wins and 199 losses at UNA, becoming the winningest coach in UNA women’s basketball history. 

He led the Lions to one Gulf South Conference championship (1985), four NCAA regional tournaments (1984, 1985, 1991, 1994) and the 1994 Division II Final Four.

He had three 20-win seasons, with a 25-5 mark in 1984, 20-9 in 1991 and 22-10 in 1994.

He also led UNA to its first NCAA national ranking when the Lions climbed as high as No. 9 in the 1984 polls.

His teams reached the championship game of the NCAA regionals three times and won the 1994 South Regional crown.

That team went on to finish third in the nation. His teams produced 22 first-team All-GSC selections. He was selected as GSC Coach of the Year in 1985, 1991 and 1994.