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| Whittier athletics file photo |
Buffalo State has hired Mike Neale as the next head coach of the Bengals' football program following a national search. Neale has more than two decades of coaching experience, including the past 19 years working at the Division III level including roles as a head coach as well as a coordinator in all three phases.
Neale most recently served as the defensive coordinator at Delaware Valley for two seasons where his teams posted a record of 16-6 (.727) and his defenses ranked among the tops in the nation in several categories, including ranking second in total defense and scoring defense in 2024.
He replaces Lazarus Morgan, who spent the past four seasons as head coach at Buffalo State. The Bengals compiled a 6-34 record (.150) over those four seasons, and went 1-9 this past season, 1-6 in Liberty League play.
Prior to Delaware Valley, Neale served on season as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Franklin, following a seven-year stint as the head coach at Whittier. During his time at Whittier, he inherited a roster with 27 players and grew the program averaging more than 40 recruited athletes per season. His student-athletes excelled in the classroom, achieving the highest team GPA in program history with a 3.18 team average.
Neale broke into college coaching with a nine-year run as an assistant coach with Albright where he held titles including defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and also coached several position groups on both sides of the ball. Albright finished 2-8 the season prior to Neale's arrival and then went 69-32 (.683) with three NCAA playoff game victories and three ECAC bowl appearances during his time.
A native of San Diego, Neale got his start in coaching spending six seasons as an assistant coach at the high school level at his alma mater Valhalla High School.
As a player, Neale enjoyed a record-setting high school career as a running back and return specialist at Valhalla, which produced a number of honors; including being selected All C.I.F. San Diego Section. Neale continued his career at Grossmont College, receiving all conference recognition as a return specialist. After earning his associate's degree, he transferred to complete his playing career as a wide receiver at Division I Missouri State. Neale received his bachelor's degree in history from California State University, San Marcos in 2002.
Neale will formally start on February 23.