Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU's Neathery Announces Retirement from Coaching
12/20/2022 3:00:00 PM | Football
Neathery has served as EMU's defensive coordinator since 2016
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Associate Head Football Coach Neal Neathery will coach his final collegiate contest today, Dec. 20, against San Jose State University in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The 29-year coaching veteran announced his intention to retire from coaching following the conclusion of Eastern's historic 2022 season.
In his seventh year in Ypsilanti, Neathery has served as the team's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since 2016. He added the title of associate head coach prior to the 2021 season. EMU's longest serving defensive coordinator since the turn of the century, he is also the longest tenured defensive coordinator in the Mid-American Conference.
Named the 2007 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year, Neathery was also a candidate for the Frank Broyles Award in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
"Neal and I began working together 26 years ago," said EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton. "Today is the end of our 20th season coaching together. He is the best coach I have ever met or worked beside. We have won a ton of games together but that doesn't even come close to comparing to the depth of our friendship. Our families have grown up together, my kids call he and his wife Rebecca, Uncle Neal and Aunt Becca.
Creighton went on, adding "People sometimes ask me who has influenced me the most in my coaching career. It isn't even close. Neal's influence on our program, on my faith, and how we are raising our family is immeasurable. My prayer is that everyone would have a friend in life like I have in Neal Neathery."
Neathery and Creighton have enjoyed great success together, as the duo has worked with each other for 20 seasons. Tuesday's game will mark their 224th all-time game on the sidelines together with stops at Ottawa (Kan.) University, Wabash (Ind.) College, Drake University, and EMU. All told, the tandem has combined for a 151-72 (.677 winning percentage).
Neathery's arrival in 2016 coincided with a significant defensive improvement for EMU. Since his hiring, he helped shave 20.0 points, 113.0 rushing yards allowed and 165.4 total yards per game off the team's averages.
In 2022, Neathery helped orchestrate one of the biggest mid-season adjustments in the Football Subdivision. Switching from a 4-2-5 formation to a man-free scheme with a variable front, Eastern improved in every major statistical category, most notably in points allowed, and opponent passing yardage. The Green and White were ranked 118th in total defense following week four, and finished the regular season ranked 55th with 366.7 yards per game allowed.
The squad took home a share of the MAC West Division championship for the first time in program history, while also recapturing the Michigan MAC Trophy.
Senior defensive end Jose Ramirez racked up All-America honors from four different publications, including becoming the first player in EMU history to collect the accolade from The Sporting News, the Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation in the same season. One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ramirez finished the 2022 regular season slate on numerous national leaderboards. He was first in the nation with 1.09 sacks per game, second in total sacks (12.0), and finished second nationally with 1.8 tackles for loss per contest.
Neathery's defense took a positive step forward in 2021. EMU forced 18 turnovers in 2021, and scored points off of 15 (11 touchdowns, 4 field goals). EMU scored 89 points off those turnovers, three times as a direct result of the play, and 12 times in its subsequent offensive possession. EMU's defense recorded three games with four-or-more sacks in 2021, which brings the total number of such occurrences to 14 under Neathery. Prior to his arrival at EMU, the Eagles had recorded four-or-more sacks in a game just eight times in a 10-year span.
Under Neathery's oversight, linebacker Tariq Speights finished as the Eagles' regular-season tackles leader in 2021. The Valencia, Calif. native racked up 85 tackles (18 solo, 67 assisted), including 1.5 tackles for loss. His 7.0 tackles per contest ranked inside the MAC's top-20 (No. 18). He notched a career-best three games with 12+ tackles, including hitting his personal-best mark of 13 stops against Ball State, Oct. 16. In the backfield, Russell Vaden IV emerged as an elite defender. The Louisville, Ky. native led all Eagles with three interceptions. That number tied for third in the conference. Additionally, Ramirez was one of the biggest challenges for offensive linemen in the MAC in 2021. He ranked 10th in the conference with 6.5 sacks, a career-best mark for the Lake Alfred, Fla. native. Ramirez was a All-MAC third team selection in 2021 under Neathery.
Neathery's young defensive unit was able to finish the 2020 season with good numbers as it was the fifth-best unit in the Mid-American Conference at preventing third-down conversions (38.2% opponent success rate). The "Hard Hat D" finished 2020 with improvements in two categories over 2019's squad, as opponents fared worse in passing yards per attempt (8.07/8.08) and third-down conversion rate (38.2% 29-of-76/44.8% 82-of-183). Additionally, the EMU defense was able to hold opponents off the scoreboard in 17 percent of its overall frames this year (4-of-24).
The EMU defense was successful at forcing turnovers throughout the team's six games. Eastern recovered nine fumbles, which ranked first in the MAC and 11th nationally, and had three interceptions, which was good for seventh in the league. EMU's final outing, against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12, saw the team recover one fumble, which included a 61-yard touchdown by freshman Mark Lee Jr.
Defensively, the Eagles rank seventh nationally in the red zone. EMU's opponents left the red zone scoreless eight times in 28 attempts this season, making EMU the best red zone defense in the MAC.
In 2019, Eastern played in a postseason bowl for the third time in the last four seasons, and for the fifth time in school history. It was also the first time in program history that EMU played in the postseason in consecutive campaigns.
In 2018, EMU closed the regular season with five straight Mid-American Conference victories for its first winning record in conference play since 1995. The Green and White's 22.1 points allowed per game tied for the 11th-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993.
EMU was exceptionally stingy late in the year, as the defense only allowed three offensive touchdowns over the final 16 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern was ranked 10th nationally for fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.7 per game.
On the national scale, Eastern owned the fifth-best redzone defense in the NCAA, while holding opponents to 150.2 passing yards per game, the third-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked 10th in passing efficiency defense, 11th in turnover margin, 19th in blocked kicks, 20th in turnovers gained, 20th in fourth down conversion defense, 22nd in fumbles recovered, 30th in scoring defense, and 33rd in interceptions.
Selected as one of 56 nominees for the 2017 Broyles Award, given to college football's top assistant coach, Neathery's crew allowed just 3.8 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Even better at home, the Eagles did not give up a fourth quarter point inside "The Factory". Nationally, EMU ranked fourth in the fewest points given up in the fourth. The defense also posted three returns for touchdowns, the most by an EMU squad since 1994.
Individually, defensive end Maxx Crosby posted 11 sacks on the year to tie the EMU single-season record set in 1996. For the season, Crosby ranked fourth in the conference and sixth in the country in sacks, while coming in 14th nationally in tackles for loss.
The Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under Neathery, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC. The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
Defensive lineman Pat O'Connor finished the season with 20.5 sacks for his career, making him the program leader since 1998. His 8.5 sacks ranked 42nd in the nation and fifth in the MAC. O'Connor and redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris were a dynamic combination both forcing and recovering fumbles, with O'Connor ranking 10th nationally in fumbles forced and Harris placing eighth in most fumbles recovered.
During his six seasons with Head Coach Larry Coker as the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), he tutored 21 all-conference performers and helped the defense record an average of 21 turnovers per year. The only defensive coordinator in the program's history, Neathery helped the Roadrunners make the transition from a startup program to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and finally the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
In 2015, the Texas-San Antonio defense ranked 31st nationally in interceptions with 14 while posting the 37th-best redzone defense with 12 stops from inside the 20-yard line. Neathery's defense forced 22 turnovers (8 fumbles/14 INTs) and allowed only 168.9 rushing yards per game in 2015, including holding two opponents to less than 100 yards.
Individually, defensive end Jason Neill led UTSA's linemen with 56 tackles (36 solos/20 assists) while setting program single-season records with 11 TFLs and 8.5 sacks (2nd C-USA). Bennett Okotcha's league-leading four interceptions tied a UTSA single-season record and his 14 pass breakups rank second on the school's single-season list.
A season earlier, UTSA's defense ranked in the Conference USA top five in five different statistical categories, including second in rushing defense (140.8 ypg), and the unit forced 19 turnovers (10 fumbles/9 INTs). UTSA held a pair of foes to less than 100 yards on the ground, including a program-record minus-26 in the season-opening 27-7 win at Houston.
Defensive end Robert Singletary and free safety Triston Wade, who was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back), were second-team all-conference selections and linebacker Jens Jeters, defensive tackle Ashaad Mabry and defensive end Cody Rogers received honorable mention. Mabry (New Orleans Saints) and Wade (Seattle Seahawks) were signed as undrafted free agents in May 2015, while Singletary joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in June 2015.
In 2013, Neathery helped lead UTSA to a 7-5 overall record, including victories over a pair of bowl teams. The Roadrunners finished second in the C-USA West Division with a 6-2 mark in their first season in the league. Neathery's defense forced 14 turnovers (6 fumbles/8 INTs) and allowed only 143.1 rushing yards per game in 2013, including holding three opponents to less than 100 yards.
Wade earned second-team all-conference honors, while defensive end Codie Brooks, safety Nic Johnston, linebacker Steven Kurfehs, cornerback Bennett Okotcha, Mabry and Singletary were honorable mention selections. Brooks also was named to the Conference USA All-Freshmen team.
In 2012, Neathery helped guide UTSA to an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program's first road and Football Bowl Subdivision victory, and New Mexico State, its first league win.
The defense forced 29 turnovers (16 fumbles/13 interceptions), which led to 22 scores (15 TDs/7 FGs) in 2012. Three of the team's top five tacklers were linebackers — Brandon Reeves (1st/95), Kurfehs (4th/71) and Blake Terry (5th/64) — and the unit also combined for 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Wade earned first-team All-WAC accolades, while defensive tackle Franky Anaya, Kurfehs and Reeves were named to the second team.
The Stillwater, Okla., native helped lead the Roadrunners to a 4-6 record during their inaugural campaign in 2011. The defense allowed just 21.4 points and 126.2 yards rushing per game and forced 21 turnovers (11 fumbles/10 interceptions), which led to 15 scores. Two of the team's top three tacklers were linebackers — Reeves (1st/69), Kurfehs (3rd/61) — and the unit combined for 190 tackles, including 16 for loss and 8.5 sacks, two interceptions (one TD), a pair of fumble recoveries and seven quarterback hurries.
Neathery came to UTSA from Drake University, where he served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with Creighton from 2008-09. During his two seasons in Des Moines, Iowa, the Bulldogs posted a 14-8 record and, as defensive coordinator, he guided the Bulldogs to the top 12 in four defensive categories in the final 2009 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision statistics. Drake ranked No. 2 in tackles for loss, averaging 8.8 per game; No. 5 in quarterback sacks, averaging 3.3 per contest; No. 8 in rushing defense, allowing just 90.6 yards per outing and 12th in total defense limiting opponents to 276.5 yards per game.
In 2009, Drake matched the best nine-game start in school history (8-1) en route to an 8-3 record and the Bulldogs also finished second in the Pioneer Football League with a 6-2 ledger. Neathery's defense held opponents to 17.1 points per game and posted 39 sacks, eight interceptions and a pair of shutouts.
In his first season, the Bulldogs allowed just 17.8 points and 266.3 yards per contest and registered 14 picks and three white-washings in a 6-5 campaign.
He was the associate head coach at Wabash College from 2001-07 and was named the 2007 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. With Neathery serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Wabash ranked fourth in NCAA Division III in total defense in 2003, No. 3 in scoring defense in 2005 and No. 8 in quarterback sacks in 2007.
Neathery was defensive coordinator at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 1997-2000. The Braves compiled a 32-7 record and won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in 1997 and 2000 en route to competing in the NAIA playoffs.
He began his college football coaching career at Sterling (Kan.) College, where he served as defensive line coach in 1994 and linebackers coach in 1995 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1996.
A 1993 graduate of Wheaton (Ill.) College, he was a four-year starter at defensive end from 1989-93. Neathery served as a captain his senior year and also earned the James Parmalee Most Respected Player Award.
Neathery earned his bachelor's degree in business/economics and bible & theology from Wheaton in 1993 and a master's degree in health and human performances from Fort Hayes State University in 1995.
He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons, Parker and Michael, and a daughter, Hannah.
With Neathery's retirement, assistant coaches Ben Needham and Taver Johnson will be taking over at co-defensive coordinators for the 2023 campaign. Needham currently serves as EMU's Defensive Run Game Coordinator and defensive line coach, while Johnson was the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and safeties coach.
What Others Are Saying About Neathery
Rob Rubick - Eastern Michigan Radio Analyst
"I've been involved in broadcasting college football for over 30 years and in that time have never met a more honest and caring man than Neal. The access and trust he has allotted me over our 7 years together has allowed me insight into the heart of EMU football and in turn has made our broadcast better. Coach will be missed not just by the players he has influenced, but by all of the EMU family. My wife Deb and I look forward to seeing you and Rebecca up north for bonfires and fishing. Best always Coach."
Matt Shepard - Former EMU Radio Play-by-Play
"I had the good fortune of working with coach Neathery for six years at EMU. His passion for the game and attention to detail was obvious, but what separates him is the true love and concern he has for his players, their families and his fellow coaches. The EMU football family should consider itself blessed to have such an outstanding coach, but an even better man, who represented the football program and the university with such class and high character. I wish him and his family the best in retirement. It's earned and well deserved."
Brent Harris - Athletics and Campus Wellness Communications Director - Wabash College
"Neal produced memorable performances and accomplishments as defensive coordinator at Wabash College. But, he will always be remembered even more for the positive example he showed daily as a husband, father, and member of the Wabash community to the Little Giant players and student body as a whole."
Thomas Schultz - Director of Equipment - Eastern Kentucky University
"I want to extend my deepest congratulations to Neal on his well-deserved retirement. I am glad that our paths crossed at Eastern Michigan University, and I am forever grateful for the lessons he taught me, and how he pushed me to be a better student manager on the field. The three years I worked under Neal made me fall in love with football and this job. Neal, thank you for everything, and as you step into the next part of your life, just remember, 'this play, this way'."
Parker, Michael and Hannah Neathery - Neathery's Children and Biggest Fans
"Being coach's kids has been one of the most rewarding parts of our lives. We've been grateful for the many years of cheering our dad and his teams on. We've seen our dad show incredible dedication to the game, the players, and always first and foremost our family. Whether running around practice or going as a family to summer FCA football camps, we'll always value the time we had as a coach's family, and we can't wait to see what's next."
In his seventh year in Ypsilanti, Neathery has served as the team's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach since 2016. He added the title of associate head coach prior to the 2021 season. EMU's longest serving defensive coordinator since the turn of the century, he is also the longest tenured defensive coordinator in the Mid-American Conference.
Named the 2007 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year, Neathery was also a candidate for the Frank Broyles Award in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
"Neal and I began working together 26 years ago," said EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton. "Today is the end of our 20th season coaching together. He is the best coach I have ever met or worked beside. We have won a ton of games together but that doesn't even come close to comparing to the depth of our friendship. Our families have grown up together, my kids call he and his wife Rebecca, Uncle Neal and Aunt Becca.
Creighton went on, adding "People sometimes ask me who has influenced me the most in my coaching career. It isn't even close. Neal's influence on our program, on my faith, and how we are raising our family is immeasurable. My prayer is that everyone would have a friend in life like I have in Neal Neathery."
Neathery and Creighton have enjoyed great success together, as the duo has worked with each other for 20 seasons. Tuesday's game will mark their 224th all-time game on the sidelines together with stops at Ottawa (Kan.) University, Wabash (Ind.) College, Drake University, and EMU. All told, the tandem has combined for a 151-72 (.677 winning percentage).
Neathery's arrival in 2016 coincided with a significant defensive improvement for EMU. Since his hiring, he helped shave 20.0 points, 113.0 rushing yards allowed and 165.4 total yards per game off the team's averages.
In 2022, Neathery helped orchestrate one of the biggest mid-season adjustments in the Football Subdivision. Switching from a 4-2-5 formation to a man-free scheme with a variable front, Eastern improved in every major statistical category, most notably in points allowed, and opponent passing yardage. The Green and White were ranked 118th in total defense following week four, and finished the regular season ranked 55th with 366.7 yards per game allowed.
The squad took home a share of the MAC West Division championship for the first time in program history, while also recapturing the Michigan MAC Trophy.
Senior defensive end Jose Ramirez racked up All-America honors from four different publications, including becoming the first player in EMU history to collect the accolade from The Sporting News, the Associated Press, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation in the same season. One of the most dominant pass rushers in college football, Ramirez finished the 2022 regular season slate on numerous national leaderboards. He was first in the nation with 1.09 sacks per game, second in total sacks (12.0), and finished second nationally with 1.8 tackles for loss per contest.
Neathery's defense took a positive step forward in 2021. EMU forced 18 turnovers in 2021, and scored points off of 15 (11 touchdowns, 4 field goals). EMU scored 89 points off those turnovers, three times as a direct result of the play, and 12 times in its subsequent offensive possession. EMU's defense recorded three games with four-or-more sacks in 2021, which brings the total number of such occurrences to 14 under Neathery. Prior to his arrival at EMU, the Eagles had recorded four-or-more sacks in a game just eight times in a 10-year span.
Under Neathery's oversight, linebacker Tariq Speights finished as the Eagles' regular-season tackles leader in 2021. The Valencia, Calif. native racked up 85 tackles (18 solo, 67 assisted), including 1.5 tackles for loss. His 7.0 tackles per contest ranked inside the MAC's top-20 (No. 18). He notched a career-best three games with 12+ tackles, including hitting his personal-best mark of 13 stops against Ball State, Oct. 16. In the backfield, Russell Vaden IV emerged as an elite defender. The Louisville, Ky. native led all Eagles with three interceptions. That number tied for third in the conference. Additionally, Ramirez was one of the biggest challenges for offensive linemen in the MAC in 2021. He ranked 10th in the conference with 6.5 sacks, a career-best mark for the Lake Alfred, Fla. native. Ramirez was a All-MAC third team selection in 2021 under Neathery.
Neathery's young defensive unit was able to finish the 2020 season with good numbers as it was the fifth-best unit in the Mid-American Conference at preventing third-down conversions (38.2% opponent success rate). The "Hard Hat D" finished 2020 with improvements in two categories over 2019's squad, as opponents fared worse in passing yards per attempt (8.07/8.08) and third-down conversion rate (38.2% 29-of-76/44.8% 82-of-183). Additionally, the EMU defense was able to hold opponents off the scoreboard in 17 percent of its overall frames this year (4-of-24).
The EMU defense was successful at forcing turnovers throughout the team's six games. Eastern recovered nine fumbles, which ranked first in the MAC and 11th nationally, and had three interceptions, which was good for seventh in the league. EMU's final outing, against Northern Illinois, Dec. 12, saw the team recover one fumble, which included a 61-yard touchdown by freshman Mark Lee Jr.
Defensively, the Eagles rank seventh nationally in the red zone. EMU's opponents left the red zone scoreless eight times in 28 attempts this season, making EMU the best red zone defense in the MAC.
In 2019, Eastern played in a postseason bowl for the third time in the last four seasons, and for the fifth time in school history. It was also the first time in program history that EMU played in the postseason in consecutive campaigns.
In 2018, EMU closed the regular season with five straight Mid-American Conference victories for its first winning record in conference play since 1995. The Green and White's 22.1 points allowed per game tied for the 11th-best mark in school history in the modern era (since 1976), and the best since 1993.
EMU was exceptionally stingy late in the year, as the defense only allowed three offensive touchdowns over the final 16 quarters of the season. Moreover, Eastern was ranked 10th nationally for fewest second-half points allowed at just 8.7 per game.
On the national scale, Eastern owned the fifth-best redzone defense in the NCAA, while holding opponents to 150.2 passing yards per game, the third-fewest in the nation. EMU ranked 10th in passing efficiency defense, 11th in turnover margin, 19th in blocked kicks, 20th in turnovers gained, 20th in fourth down conversion defense, 22nd in fumbles recovered, 30th in scoring defense, and 33rd in interceptions.
Selected as one of 56 nominees for the 2017 Broyles Award, given to college football's top assistant coach, Neathery's crew allowed just 3.8 points per game over the course of the final 15 minutes. Even better at home, the Eagles did not give up a fourth quarter point inside "The Factory". Nationally, EMU ranked fourth in the fewest points given up in the fourth. The defense also posted three returns for touchdowns, the most by an EMU squad since 1994.
Individually, defensive end Maxx Crosby posted 11 sacks on the year to tie the EMU single-season record set in 1996. For the season, Crosby ranked fourth in the conference and sixth in the country in sacks, while coming in 14th nationally in tackles for loss.
The Eagles saw a remarkable improvement in its first season under Neathery, finishing in a tie for the most improved program in the Football Bowl Subdivision. EMU allowed 86.5 yards per game less in 2016 (432.7 per game) than it did in 2015 (519.2 per game) to rank 83rd in the country and seventh in the MAC. The team also took a huge step forward in stopping the run, as the defense gave up 149 yards per game less on the ground in 2016 than it did a year earlier. Overall, EMU was nationally ranked seventh in fumbles recovered, 32nd in turnovers gained, 58th in interceptions, and 59th in rushing defense.
Defensive lineman Pat O'Connor finished the season with 20.5 sacks for his career, making him the program leader since 1998. His 8.5 sacks ranked 42nd in the nation and fifth in the MAC. O'Connor and redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Harris were a dynamic combination both forcing and recovering fumbles, with O'Connor ranking 10th nationally in fumbles forced and Harris placing eighth in most fumbles recovered.
During his six seasons with Head Coach Larry Coker as the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA), he tutored 21 all-conference performers and helped the defense record an average of 21 turnovers per year. The only defensive coordinator in the program's history, Neathery helped the Roadrunners make the transition from a startup program to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and finally the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
In 2015, the Texas-San Antonio defense ranked 31st nationally in interceptions with 14 while posting the 37th-best redzone defense with 12 stops from inside the 20-yard line. Neathery's defense forced 22 turnovers (8 fumbles/14 INTs) and allowed only 168.9 rushing yards per game in 2015, including holding two opponents to less than 100 yards.
Individually, defensive end Jason Neill led UTSA's linemen with 56 tackles (36 solos/20 assists) while setting program single-season records with 11 TFLs and 8.5 sacks (2nd C-USA). Bennett Okotcha's league-leading four interceptions tied a UTSA single-season record and his 14 pass breakups rank second on the school's single-season list.
A season earlier, UTSA's defense ranked in the Conference USA top five in five different statistical categories, including second in rushing defense (140.8 ypg), and the unit forced 19 turnovers (10 fumbles/9 INTs). UTSA held a pair of foes to less than 100 yards on the ground, including a program-record minus-26 in the season-opening 27-7 win at Houston.
Defensive end Robert Singletary and free safety Triston Wade, who was one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's top defensive back), were second-team all-conference selections and linebacker Jens Jeters, defensive tackle Ashaad Mabry and defensive end Cody Rogers received honorable mention. Mabry (New Orleans Saints) and Wade (Seattle Seahawks) were signed as undrafted free agents in May 2015, while Singletary joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in June 2015.
In 2013, Neathery helped lead UTSA to a 7-5 overall record, including victories over a pair of bowl teams. The Roadrunners finished second in the C-USA West Division with a 6-2 mark in their first season in the league. Neathery's defense forced 14 turnovers (6 fumbles/8 INTs) and allowed only 143.1 rushing yards per game in 2013, including holding three opponents to less than 100 yards.
Wade earned second-team all-conference honors, while defensive end Codie Brooks, safety Nic Johnston, linebacker Steven Kurfehs, cornerback Bennett Okotcha, Mabry and Singletary were honorable mention selections. Brooks also was named to the Conference USA All-Freshmen team.
In 2012, Neathery helped guide UTSA to an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in its first and only season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program's first road and Football Bowl Subdivision victory, and New Mexico State, its first league win.
The defense forced 29 turnovers (16 fumbles/13 interceptions), which led to 22 scores (15 TDs/7 FGs) in 2012. Three of the team's top five tacklers were linebackers — Brandon Reeves (1st/95), Kurfehs (4th/71) and Blake Terry (5th/64) — and the unit also combined for 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Wade earned first-team All-WAC accolades, while defensive tackle Franky Anaya, Kurfehs and Reeves were named to the second team.
The Stillwater, Okla., native helped lead the Roadrunners to a 4-6 record during their inaugural campaign in 2011. The defense allowed just 21.4 points and 126.2 yards rushing per game and forced 21 turnovers (11 fumbles/10 interceptions), which led to 15 scores. Two of the team's top three tacklers were linebackers — Reeves (1st/69), Kurfehs (3rd/61) — and the unit combined for 190 tackles, including 16 for loss and 8.5 sacks, two interceptions (one TD), a pair of fumble recoveries and seven quarterback hurries.
Neathery came to UTSA from Drake University, where he served as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach with Creighton from 2008-09. During his two seasons in Des Moines, Iowa, the Bulldogs posted a 14-8 record and, as defensive coordinator, he guided the Bulldogs to the top 12 in four defensive categories in the final 2009 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision statistics. Drake ranked No. 2 in tackles for loss, averaging 8.8 per game; No. 5 in quarterback sacks, averaging 3.3 per contest; No. 8 in rushing defense, allowing just 90.6 yards per outing and 12th in total defense limiting opponents to 276.5 yards per game.
In 2009, Drake matched the best nine-game start in school history (8-1) en route to an 8-3 record and the Bulldogs also finished second in the Pioneer Football League with a 6-2 ledger. Neathery's defense held opponents to 17.1 points per game and posted 39 sacks, eight interceptions and a pair of shutouts.
In his first season, the Bulldogs allowed just 17.8 points and 266.3 yards per contest and registered 14 picks and three white-washings in a 6-5 campaign.
He was the associate head coach at Wabash College from 2001-07 and was named the 2007 American Football Coaches Association NCAA Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. With Neathery serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Wabash ranked fourth in NCAA Division III in total defense in 2003, No. 3 in scoring defense in 2005 and No. 8 in quarterback sacks in 2007.
Neathery was defensive coordinator at Ottawa (Kan.) University from 1997-2000. The Braves compiled a 32-7 record and won the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championship in 1997 and 2000 en route to competing in the NAIA playoffs.
He began his college football coaching career at Sterling (Kan.) College, where he served as defensive line coach in 1994 and linebackers coach in 1995 before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 1996.
A 1993 graduate of Wheaton (Ill.) College, he was a four-year starter at defensive end from 1989-93. Neathery served as a captain his senior year and also earned the James Parmalee Most Respected Player Award.
Neathery earned his bachelor's degree in business/economics and bible & theology from Wheaton in 1993 and a master's degree in health and human performances from Fort Hayes State University in 1995.
He and his wife, Rebecca, have two sons, Parker and Michael, and a daughter, Hannah.
With Neathery's retirement, assistant coaches Ben Needham and Taver Johnson will be taking over at co-defensive coordinators for the 2023 campaign. Needham currently serves as EMU's Defensive Run Game Coordinator and defensive line coach, while Johnson was the Defensive Pass Game Coordinator and safeties coach.
What Others Are Saying About Neathery
Rob Rubick - Eastern Michigan Radio Analyst
"I've been involved in broadcasting college football for over 30 years and in that time have never met a more honest and caring man than Neal. The access and trust he has allotted me over our 7 years together has allowed me insight into the heart of EMU football and in turn has made our broadcast better. Coach will be missed not just by the players he has influenced, but by all of the EMU family. My wife Deb and I look forward to seeing you and Rebecca up north for bonfires and fishing. Best always Coach."
Matt Shepard - Former EMU Radio Play-by-Play
"I had the good fortune of working with coach Neathery for six years at EMU. His passion for the game and attention to detail was obvious, but what separates him is the true love and concern he has for his players, their families and his fellow coaches. The EMU football family should consider itself blessed to have such an outstanding coach, but an even better man, who represented the football program and the university with such class and high character. I wish him and his family the best in retirement. It's earned and well deserved."
Brent Harris - Athletics and Campus Wellness Communications Director - Wabash College
"Neal produced memorable performances and accomplishments as defensive coordinator at Wabash College. But, he will always be remembered even more for the positive example he showed daily as a husband, father, and member of the Wabash community to the Little Giant players and student body as a whole."
Thomas Schultz - Director of Equipment - Eastern Kentucky University
"I want to extend my deepest congratulations to Neal on his well-deserved retirement. I am glad that our paths crossed at Eastern Michigan University, and I am forever grateful for the lessons he taught me, and how he pushed me to be a better student manager on the field. The three years I worked under Neal made me fall in love with football and this job. Neal, thank you for everything, and as you step into the next part of your life, just remember, 'this play, this way'."
Parker, Michael and Hannah Neathery - Neathery's Children and Biggest Fans
"Being coach's kids has been one of the most rewarding parts of our lives. We've been grateful for the many years of cheering our dad and his teams on. We've seen our dad show incredible dedication to the game, the players, and always first and foremost our family. Whether running around practice or going as a family to summer FCA football camps, we'll always value the time we had as a coach's family, and we can't wait to see what's next."
Players Mentioned
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